***• 6* i<m 




m ^ 

















'* *° 















s* ° 










* ^ 



iV 












<r* '»• 







,o 









v f .°* .^-. *» "">,..-.>♦ " " f ?*\.-;.;v " v. 








» « o ^) °^ * 

,G V *o> **t\»* A <. '•"."»* .G 




v v v -y^ 

'« A <^ -. . . - 




O 












> \3 *'7\* s A <. 'o.»* .G 



*z.^ 




1: *bv* :£fflSg:* *W 













Jefferson Cooaty.K Y ty Fran&tiii B. Howh 



HISTORY 



JEFFERSON COUNTY 



IN THE 



STATE OF NEW YORK, 



FROM THE 



EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



FRANKLIN B. HOUGH, A. M., M. D. 

AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OP ST. LAWRENCE AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, AND CORRESPONDING 
MEMBER OP THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 




First County Seal. 



ALBANY: 
JOEL MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 

WATERTOWN, N. Y: 

STERLING & RIDDELL. 

1854. 

1^ 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by 

FRANKLIN B. HOUGH, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Northern District of New York. 



3 ^\Vfc 



PREFACE. 



Sixty years ago, the territory now embraced in the wealthy and popu- 
lous County of Jefferson, was an unexplored wilderness, and so little was 
known of its geography, that in a statistical work of that period,* Black 
River is said to rise "in the high country near the sources of Canada 
Creek, which foils into the Mohawk River, and takes its course north 
west, and then north east, until it discharges itself into the Cataraqui 
or Iroquois River, not for from Swegauchee; it is said to be navigable 
for bateaux up to the lower falls, sixty miles, which is distant from the 
flourishing settlement of Whitestown twenty-five miles." On none of 
the early French or English maps is this important stream represented. 
The period embraced in the following pages, is therefore mostly within 
the memory of those still living. 

The important duty of preserving local history, and recording the 
minor events that attend the origin of institutions and communities, is 
too often neglected until a period when truth becomes blended with 
fable, and the original materials one by one disappearing, leave the 
analysis of events involved in an impenetrable mist of conflicting tradi- 
tions. In collecting the materials for this work, original sources of in- 
formation have been sought, where these could be reached, always pre- 
fering to rely upon written or published statements, rather than unaided 
memory. In the course of these inquiries, the records of the county, 
and the several towns; of religious and other societies; the files of local 
papers, and the correspondence of prominent public citizens, the records 
and documents of land offices, and the archives of the state at Albany, 
have been consulted. Every town and village has been visited by the 
author, and personal interviews obtained with great numbers of promi- 
nent citizens and pioneers. The relative value to be attached to these 
several sources of information, has been carefully examined, with the 
earnest desire to arrive at a correct knowledge of the varied subjects that 
make up the following volume. While sectional, political, or personal 
interests have been carefully avoided, it has been our highest ambition 

* Winterbotham's View of the American United States, 1796j vol ii, p. 3011. 



4 Preface. 

to give prominence to every department of industry that constitutes the 
present wealth, and promises the future welfare of the county. That 
errors may have occurred in so great a number of names and dates as 
are here given, is probable. The indulgence of the reader is solicited, 
in marking such as had been observed in the subsequent reading of 
the proofs, and which are noted at the close of the volume. 

Our acknowledgments are tendered to the serveral editors of the Jef- 
fersonian, New York Reformer, Democratic Union, Northern State Jour- 
nal, Jefferson Democrat, and Jefferson Farmer, for the uniform kind- 
ness which has heen evinced in calling public attention to these inquiries. 
To the Hon. Win, C. Pierrepont, Elijah B. Allen, and Win. T. Searles, for 
traveling facilities in collecting these data, and to the above named gen- 
tlemen, and the following citizens of the county, for essential aid in fur- 
nishing materials for the work, viz: To Messrs. J. Mullin, R. Lansing, 
T. C. Chittenden, J. F. Starbuck, J. Clarke, Win. Smith, O. V. Brainard, S. 
and E. S. Massey, J. C. Sterling, J. Fairbanks, P. G. Keyes, L. Pad- 
dock, J. L. Marsh, County Clerk; Alvin Hunt, Daniel Lee, Clark Rice, 
Drs. A. Trowbridge and R. Goodall, and the Rev. Messrs. J. Bray ton, 
G. M. Hill, P. Snyder, J. H. Stewart and J. S. Holme, of Watertown; 
Col. E. Camp, Rev. L. A. Sawyer, Rev. J. Burchard, Messrs. T. S. Hall, 
E. Fields, E. M. Luff, Capt. A. Ford, Capt. Wm. Vaughan and Capt. S. 
McNitt, of Sackets Harbor; Dr. F. A. Knapp, of Smithville; E. Burn- 
ham, Dr. L. Barney and Rev. P. Morse, of Henderson; J. R. Bates, of 
Ellis Village; J. D. Houghton, S. Hackley, D. Ellis, C. Littlefield and W. L. 
Cook, of Belleville; D. Wardvvell, of Mannsville; S. D. Hungerford, W. 
Benton and Rev. P. C. Headley, of Adams; Rev. D. Spear, of Rodman; 
M. Eames, C. Hopkins, Dr. C. P. Kemball and J. Felt, of Rutland ; N. 
Hubbard and A. Lathrop, of Champion; P. S. Stewart, Dr. E. West and 
T. S. Hammond, of Carthage; Wm. McAllaster and Rev. C. B. Pond, 
. of Antwerp; R. Ormiston, Jr., of Ox Bow; Wm. Fayel, of Theresa; J. 
Clark, of Plessis; E. G. Merrick and Rev. J. P. Jennings, of Clayton; J. 
N. Rottiers, of Orleans; S. D. Sloan, of Evans' Mills; O. Child, of Phila- 
delphia; J. B. Kitby, J. E. Brown, Wm. Lord, G. Brown, Col. J. Brad- 
ley, Rev. G. B. Eastman and Rev. S. Holmes, of Brownville: C. V. R. 
Horton and Wm. Dewey, of Lyme; and John B. Esselstyn, of Cape Vin- 
cent. To Dr. T. Ivomeyn Beck, of Albany, are we indebted for the use of 
the several cuts of fossils, and to H. E. Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, I. H. Bron- 
son, of Palatka, Fl., S. A. Abbey, of Cleveland, O.; A. Morton, of Monroe , 
Mich.; D. Merritt of Salem, Mass.; and J. H. Lord of Oswego, for interest- 
ing communications, and to I. W. Bostwick, of Lowville, for access to the 

land papers of the Low Purchase. 

FRANKLIN B. HOUGH. 
Albany, January 12th, 1864. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

ABORIGINAL TRACKS, FRENCH HISTORY. 

Ambiguity of relics left of ancient occupation— Traces less ancient than those 
of the west — The several traces described — Bone pits — Metallic relics — 
Aboriginal names — The Iroquois dominion — Negotiations of the Dutch 
English and French — De La Barrels incursion and defeat by sickness — Ta- 
lented speech of Garangula, the Onondaga orator — French work on Six 
Town Point — Post at mouth of Sandy Creek — Carlton Island — Its history 
and description 9 

CHAPTER II. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &C. 

Current of immigration — Previous divisions of counties — Division of Oneida 
County and strong local interests — Convention at Denmark — Origin of 
name — Act erecting Jefferson and Lewis Counties — Boundaries changed — 
County Buildings located — Proceedings of Supervisors — Jail limits — Court 
house burnt and rebuilt — Maintenance of prisoners — Poor house built and 
site changed — Poor house system — Health law expenses — Bounties for nox- 
ious animals — Courts — Convivial excesses of first Court — Supervisors meet- 
ings, 25 

CHAPTER III. 

HISTORY OF LAND TITLES. 

Primitive Indian titles — Oneida treaty — Land Commissioners — Macomb's 
purchase — Penet's title — French purchase — Constable's sales — Scheme of a 
French Colony occasioned by political troubles — Articles of Association — 
Agency of Tillier — Surveys and incidents connected therewith — Death of 
Pharoux — Letter describing French settlement from the work of Hector St. 
John de Crevecoeur — Agency of Morris — Antwerp company — Sales by Le 
Ray — Bonaparte's purchase — Bolyston's and Black River tracts — Title of 
the Islands, 38 

CHAPTER IV. 

TOWNS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

List of, with dates of organization — Original names — History of each town in 
alphabetical order — supervisors — Early settlers — Incidents — Religious Socie- 
ties, £c, of each, 69 

CHAPTER V. 

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 

First movement by Steuben — Road opened by Tillier — Oswegatchie road — 
Letters of Judge Ford — Lotteries — Legislative acts — State roads — Turn- 
pikes — Plank roads — Rail roads — Telegraphs — Black River canal — Origin 
of Steam Navigation — List of steam boats — Steam boat companies, . . . 307 



Contents. 



CHAPTER VI. 

STATISTICS OF POPULATION AND RESOURCES. 

Statistics of population — Agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial resour- 
ces, from the several censuses — Nativity of citizens — Pensioners — Post routes 
and post offices, 357 

CHAPTER VII. 

LISTS OF TUBLIC OFFICERS. 

Congressional districts — Members of Congress — Assemblymen — Assembly 
districts — Clerks — Sheriffs — Surrogates — Treasurers — Circuit and county 
judges — Assistant justices — Justices of Sessions — District Attorneys — Cor- 
oners — Loan Commissioners — Votes at elections for governor, 3(35 

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE PERIODICAL PRESS. 

Black River Gazette at Martinsburgh — Papers published at Watertown — at 
Sackets Harbor — at Adams — at Theresa — at Carthage, 372 

CHAPTER IX. 

HISTORY OF ACADEMIES. 

Early movements towards founding — Watertown Academy — Black River Insti- 
tute — Name changed to Jefferson County Institute — Union Literary Society 
— Orleans Academy — Brownville Female Seminary, 378 

CHAPTER X. 

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. 

Religious Societies — Watertown Presbytery — Black River Association — Me- 
thodist Episcopal Associations — Black River Baptist Association — Free 
Communion Baptist yearly meeting — Black River Association (Universa- 
lis!) — Le Ray Monthly Meeting — Lutherans — Benevolent Societies', <S-c. — Bi- 
ble — Sabbilh Union — Tempeiance — Educational — Aid to Greeks — Irish re- 
lief Medical Society — Agricultural Society — Town Agricultural Societies — 
Associations for Mutual Benefit — Masons — Odd Fellows — Sons of Temper- 
ance — Good Samaritans — Knights of Jericho — Jeff rson County Industr al 
Association, 390 

CHAPTER XI. 

BANKS CORPO RATIONS . 

Jefferson'County Bank— Sackets Harbor Bank — Associated Banks— Individual 
Banks — Insurance Companies, 415 

CHAPTER XII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

General remark* — Amos Benedict, Ethel Bronson, Jacob Brown, Peleg Bur- 
chard. I. B. Crawe, Timothy Dewey, Robert B. Doxtater. Dyer Hunting- 
ton, OrvilleHun^erfonl. Perley Keyes, Edmund Kirby, Le Ray de Chaumont, 
Hart Massey, John Paddock, Hezekiah B. Pierrepont Augustus Sacke't, 
Micah Sterling, Egbert Ten Eyck, George White, Benjamin Wright, 419 



Contents. 7 

CHAPTER XIII. 

WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 1S12-1S15. 

Embargo — Smuggling — Seizures — Declaration of war — Attack on Sackets 
Harbor — Affair of Julia — Attack on Gananoqui — Cruise of Chauncey — Tale 
of Tom Garnet — Plans of attack discussed in Cabinet — Dearborn appointed 
commander-in-cbief — Descent upon York — Battle of Sackets Harbor — Pri- 
vateering on the St. Lawrence — Exploits of Gregory, Vaughan and Dixon 
— Wilkinson's expedition — Battle of Sandy Creek — Naval armaments on 
the lake, . 458 

CHAPTER XIV. 

EVENTS OF 1S37-1840. 

Excitement from burning of the Caroline — Affair of Hickory Island — Burning 
of the Peel — Affair at Prescott — Sympathy forjprisoners — Release of Minors 
— Attempt to burn the Great Britain — Patriot Bank, 519 

CHAPTER XV. 

GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, &C. 

Importance of classification — Primary rock — Potsdam sandstone — Calciferous 
sandstone — Birdseye, Black River, and Trenton limestones — Utica slate — 
Lorraine slate — General observations — Black River — Lake Ontario — Min- 
eral localities — Meteorological table, 529 

APPENDIX. 

Letter of Charlevoix — Petition of Joseph Bonaparte, Count Survilliers — Ro- 
mance and poetry of the Thousand Isles — Notes on Presbyterian church in 
Antwerp, Associate reformed church of Ox Bow and Baptist church of 
Henderson — Jason Fairbanks — Report on the petition for a tax for Union 
Literary society — Brigadier General Pike — Correspondence between Gene- 
ral Brown and Governor Tompkins concerning the war of 1812 — Von 
Schoultz the Patriot leader, 563 

Index, 593 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



CHAPTER L 

ABORIGINAL TRACES, FRENCH HISTORY. 

A passing tribute, to the memory of a race who have left but few- 
traces of their sojourn in the territory now embraced in Jefferson 
county, may not be deemed inappropriate before entering into 
the details that make up our authentic history. There are pro- 
bably few who have not dwelt with peculiar interest upon the 
glimpses we catch through the mists of the past, of whole tribes 
of men that have vanished from the earth, leaving no heirs or 
representatives to inherit the richer blessings of our age; of 
nations whose part in the great drama of human life must always 
be the theme of conjecture; whose sages are forgotton, and 
whose warriors sleep unhonored in the dim obscurity of oblivion. 
Few are the monuments we may interrogate, and doubtful the 
interpretation of the enigmas which the scattered traces of their 
existence offer, nor can these furnish the basis of a well-founded 
conjecture of the people, or the period, or in some instances the 
object with which they were related. At most, we can but offer 
a few facts, and leave the field of conjecture open to those who 
may have more ample means of comparison, and the leisure and 
talent to devote to this deeply interesting field of inquiry. The 
general inference which has been reached by those whose re- 
searches have been especially devoted to this study, is that none 
of the remains of art in this section of the state, can pretend to 
the antiquity that belongs to the mound builders of the Ohio 
valley; that they indicate at most but a slight attainment in 
civilization; that they denote no further object than self defense, 
or simple sustenance; and that they evince no general plans, 
no organized system, beyond what the necessities of the moment 
suggested. Further than this we know nothing. The enclosures 
hereafter described exhibit that similarity that leads us to believe 
them the work of the same race, for a common object — pro- 



10 Aboriginal Traces. 

tection against a cotemporary foe; thus showing that wars are, 
if not inherent in human nature, at least coeval with the first 
dawnings of civilization. 

In the town of Le Ray, a short distance below the village of 
Black River, and on the road to Watertown, was formerly the 
trace of a trench enclosure. The work was irregularly semi- 
circular, inclosing about one and a quarter acres of ground, and 
a short distance from the bank of Black River, the side towards 
which was open, the ends of the embankment extending a short 
distance down the slope, and curving inward " as if to prevent 
the flank from being turned by an enemy."* A portion of the 
bank and ditch outside may still be traced in the road, but the 
greater part has long been leveled by cultivation. In the fields 
adjacent, are the traces of hearths, numerous fragments of rude 
pottery, bones of animals, and stone chisels.f Human bones 
have also been found in the vicinity. Although the banks have 
been mostly leveled, yet their locality may be traced without 
much difficulty. 

About a mile north of this, is another and larger one, which, 
like the first, contains in and around it the usual Indian relics. 
It occupies a plain but little elevated above a flat that was once 
flowed by a beaver dam, making a shallow pond several acres 
in extent. The remains of the dam may still be traced on 
West Creek, which has its source not far distant. 

Two trench enclosures formerly existed near Sanford's Cor- 
ners in Le Ray, but no trace of the original works remains. 
When first seen, the bank, measured from the bottom of the ditch, 
was six feet high. An unusual amount of relics have been 
afforded by the adjacent fields, and several human skeletons, all 
buried in the sitting posture, have been exhumed. Like most 
others, they were built near the banks of a stream of water, and 
had at irregular intervals, gateways or passages. The ground 
within and around was formerly a pine forest, which extended 
many miles in the direction of Carthage. 

On both sides of Perch Lake and on Linnel's Island in an ad- 
jacent swamp, there were, when the country was first explored, 
a great number of mounds or barrows, supposed by some to be 
burial places. They present much uniformity in appearance, 
being circular, from two to four rods across, from two to four 
feet high, and uniformly having a depression in the centre, as if 
a vault had formerly existed there, which has since fallen in. 
When dug into, they are said to contain burnt stone, charred corn, 

^Aboriginal Monuments of New York, by E. G. Squier, Smithsonian 
Contributions, vol. II, art. vi, p. 23, rig. 3, pi. 3. 

t See Third Annual Report of Regents of the University on the Condition 
of the State Cabinet, p. 101. 



Aboriginal Traces. II 

broken earthen, &c; but no opportunity was afforded to the 
author to examine their structure. Most of them have been 
plowed down, but a few are said to remain on the west side of the 
Perch Lake in their primitive state. InHoundsfield,on the shore 
of Black River Bay, between JMuskellunge Creek and Storrs' 
Harbor, is said to have existed formerly a trench enclosure of 
the ordinary form. We have not learned whether it is wholly or 
in part preserved, nor is its extent known. Some of the largest 
trees of the forest grew upon and within the bank. In Water- 
town, on lot No. 29, about two and a half miles south-west from 
the village, may still be seen in an open wood, and in a fine state 
of preservation, the outline of a work consisting of a bank thrown 
up from a surrounding ditch, and evidently intended as a de- 
fensive work. It is on the summit of a gradually sloping terrace 
of Trenton Limestone, and commands a delightful prospect. 
Elms, three feet in diameter, are found growing upon the bank, 
and the decaying remains of others still larger, within and upon 
it, carry back the date of its construction to an ante-Columbian 
period. In the same range and lot, on premises owned by Anson 
Hungerford, Esq., and about forty rods east, there was formerly 
another enclosure, with gateways, the position and extent of 
which cannot now be ascertained, as the bank has long since 
been leveled by cultivation. The one first mentioned, is semi- 
circular, the open side facing upon the bank* Half a mile east 
cf Burrville, on lot No. 31, was formerly a defensive work, con- 
sisting of a mound and ditch, running across a point between two 
streams near their junction, and forming by the aid of the natural 
banks a triangular enclosure. The plow has long ago filled the 
ditch and leveled the bank, leaving no trace of the work. The 
soil has afforded a great abundance and variety of relics, and the 
vicinity indicates that it had been occupied as an Indian village. 
Within the enclosure is a boulder of gneiss, worn smooth and 
concave in places by the grinding of stone implements. On a 
point of land opposite, the author found an iron ball weighing eight 
ounces, and others have been picked up in the vicinity, indicating 
that the place must have been passed, at least, by those who 
knew the use of small ordnance, probably the French, on some 
of their expeditions against the Iroquois.f Mr. Squier, in his 
work on the ancient monuments of New York, mentions the trace 
of an Indian village a mile north-east of this. 

Near Appling post office, on the land of D. Talcott, in Adams, 
near the line of Watertown, is still to be seen the trace of a 

*Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, vol. II, art. vi, p. 20, fig. 2, pi. 2. 
See also N. Y. Senate Document No. 30. 1851, p. 105, plate 7. These plates 
are from independent surveys but are very similar, 

f Senate Doc. 1851, No. 30, p. 107. Smithsonian Contrib. II, part vi, p. 21. 



12 Abori ginal Traces. 

work of great extent and interest. It is on the brow of the upper 
terrace of Trenton limestone, overlooking a vast extent of coun- 
try to the west and north. The bank has an average height 
of three and base of ten feet, with an external ditch of corre- 
sponding dimensions, and there were about seven gateways or 
interruptions in the work, which had an elliptical form, one side 
bordering upon a beaver pond, and bounded by an abrupt bank, 
about thirty feet high. Upon and within the work, trees of ah 
enormous size are growing, and the decaying fragments of others 
carry back the origin of the work several hundred years. A great 
number of small pits or caches, occur where provisions were 
stored for concealment; as shown by quantities of parched corn. 
Several skeletons have been exhumed here, which had been 
buried in a sitting posture, and its relics are the same as those 
above mentioned. 

Near the north-west corner of Rodman, on lot number two, on 
the farm of Jared Freeman, was formerly an interesting work, 
of which no trace remains,* except a boulder of gneiss, worn 
smoth by grinding. Before the place had been cultivated, it is 
said to have shown an oval double bank, with an intervening 
crescent-shaped space, and a short bank running down a gentle 
slope to a small stream, one of the sources of Stony Creek, that 
flows near. Several hundred bushels of burnt corn were turned 
out, over an area one rod by eight, showing that this must have 
been an immense magazine of food. On the farm of Jacob 
Heath, on lot No. 25, near the west line of Rodman, and on the 
north bank of North Sandy Creek, a short distance above the 
confluence of the two main branches of that stream, there formerly 
existed an enclosure of the same class. It included about three 
acres, was overgrown with heavy timber, and furnished within 
and without, when plowed, a great quantity and variety of terra 
cotta, in fragments, but no metallic relics. Under the roots of a 
large maple was dug up the bones of a man of great stature, 
and furnished with entire rows of double teeth. 

On the farm of Wells Benton, half a mile from Adams Village, 
was an enclosure similar to the others, and affording the usual 
variety of relics; and another trace of an ancient work of a si- 
milar character is mentioned in Adams, two miles north of the 
village. On the farm of Peter Durfey, near Bellville, in Ellis- 
burgh, is still another, which, from the description given by those 
who have examined it, does not differ in age or general appear- 
ance from others, having gateways at irregular intervals, and 
being guarded on one side by a natural defense. 

The present cemetry, a little above Ellis Village, presents the 
trace of a work that was crescent-shaped, and, by the aid of the 

* Senate Do:un ent, 1851, No. 30, p. 105, where a plan is given. 



Aboriginal Traces. 13 



"5 



natural bank on which it was built, formed an irregular enclosure 
of about two acres. On the south bank of South Sandy Creek, 
three miles from its mouth, was a similar work, defended on one 
side by an abrupt bank, and now entirely leveled by tillage. A 
considerable number of places occur in Ellisburgh, which must 
have been inhabited by the aborigines. The fertility of the soil, 
excellence of water, and vicinity to valuable salmon fisheries, 
and extensive hunting "rounds, must have afforded many attrac- 
tions to the savages. Probably several traces of ancient works 
in this section of the country may have been leveled by tillage, 
without exciting suspicion of their nature. Besides these, one 
is mentioned as having occurred near Tylerville, and another in 
Houndsfield, two miles from Brownville. 

One of the most conclusive evidences of ancient military 
occupation and conflict, occurs in Rutland, near the residence 
of Abner Tamblin, one mile from the western line of the town, 
and two miles from the river. It is on the summit of the Trenton 
limestone terrace, which forms a bold escarpment, extending down 
the river, and passing across the southern part of Watertown. 
There here occurs a slight embankment, and ditch irregularly oval, 
with several gateways; and along the ditch, in several places, 
have been found great numbers of skeletons, almost entirely of 
males, and lying in great confusion, as if they had been slain in 
defending it. Among these bones were those of a man of co- 
lossal size, and like nine-tenths of the others, furnished with a 
row of double teeth in each jaw. This singular peculiarity, 
with that of broad flat jaws, retreating forehead, and great 
prominence of the occiput, which was common to most of these 
skulls, may hereafter afford some clue to their history. There is 
said to have been found at this place by excavating, hearths, or 
fire places, with bones of animals, broken pottery, and imple- 
ments of stone, at two different levels, separated by an accumu- 
lation of earth and vegetable mould from one to two feet thick, 
as if the place had been twice occupied. So great has been the 
length of time since these bones have been covered, that they 
fall to pieces very soon after being exposed to the air. Charred 
corn, bones, and relics, occur at both levels, but more abund- 
antly at the lower. At numerous places, not exhibiting traces 
of fortification, are found fire places, accumulations of chips, of 
flint, and broken pottery; as if these points had been occupied 
as dwellings. In several places bone pits have been found, where 
human remains in great numbers have been accumulated. One 
is mentioned as occurring near Brownville Village,* where in a 
space of ten or twelve feet square and four deep, a great number 
of skeletons were thrown. Another deposit of bones occurs in 

* Smithsonian Contributions, II, part vi, p 25. 



14 Traces of Indian Occupation. 

Ellisburgh, nearly opposite an ancient work, on South Sandy 
Creek, near a house now occupied by J. W . Ellis; where, in dig- 
ging a cellar in 18 18, bones in great numbers were found. In 1842, 
there was found in Rutland, three miles from Watertown, under a 
pile of stones, about three feet high, which rested on a circular 
Bat stone, a pit four feet square and two deep, filled with the bones 
of men and animals, thrown together in great confusion.* These 
exhibit marks of teeth as if they had been gnawed by animals. 
This, with the charcoal and charred corn in the vicinity, has been 
thought to indicate ancient massacre and pillage, in which an 
Indian village was destroyed and the bones of the slain afterwards 
collected and buried by friends. It was estimated that thirty or 
forty skeletons were buried here, besides parts of animals, that 
may have been killed for food. A custom is said to have pre- 
vailed among some Indian tribes, of collecting and burying at 
stated intervals, the bones of their dead, and some of these de- 
positories may have thus originated. The earthen, found around 
these localities, was of the coarsest and rudest character; exter- 
nally smooth, except where marked by lines and dots, in fantastic 
and ever-varying combinations of figures, and internally rough 
from the admixture of course sand and gravel. There was no 
glazing known to these primitive potters, who possessed never- 
theless, a certain degree of taste and skill; and sometimes 
attempted on their pipes and jars, an imitation of the human 
face and fantastic images of serpents and wild animals, llarely, 
metallic relics of undoubted antiquity are found. A chisel of 
copper before us, is of this class; and the metal from which this, 
and other relics of this kind were made, was doubtless procured 
from Lake Superior. A fragment of a sword blade, around which 
the wood of a tree had grown, was found by the first settlers of ^ 
Ellisburgh. Muskets, balls, hatchets, knives and other imple- 
ments of metal, have been at various times turned out by the 
plow; but none of the articles of undoubted European origin 
can claim an antiquity prior to the French and Indian wars. 

There was found several years since in the sand, at a deep 
cutting of the rail road, near the Poor House, an oval ball, about 
three inches long, which for some time was used by children as 
a plaything. From its lightness and hardness, it excited curiosity, 
and it was cut open when it was found to contain a strip of parch- 
ment and another ball; this latter also contained another ball and 
strip of parchment, in all three. One of these is preserved, and 
is | by Iff inches, containing, written on one side, four lines of 
Hebrew characters, without vowel points, quoted from Deutero- 
nomy xi, 13 to 21 inclusive. The case containing these was 
apparently made of hide, and it had been doubtless used as an 

* Third Rsport of Regents on Cabinet, 1800, p. 102. 



French Expeditions. 15 

amulet, by some traveling Jew, or had been procured by the 
Indians as a charm, at a period not prior to the French era of 
our history. This section of the state, at the earliest period of 
authentic history, was occupied by the Oneidas and Onondagas, 
as a hunting ground; and one or two trails were perceptible 
when surveyed in 1796. Occasionally the St. Regis Indians 
would find their way into our territory, but oftener the Massa- 
saugas from the north shore of the lake. The Oneidas considered 
them as intruders and the latter seldom allowed themselves to fall 
in their way, from which reason the visits of the natives were 
stealthy and unfrequent, and nothing would fill the foreign Indians 
with apprehensions sooner than being told that the Oneidas were 
in the neighborhood. After the war nothing was-seen or heard 
from them. Of our aboriginal names of places in our country 
but few are preserved. Mr. L. H. Morgan has given on a map, 
accompanying his work, entitled, The League of the Iroquois, 
the following, as they are known in the Seneca dialect: 

Lake Ontario, Neahga. Tecarneodi. 

Sandy Creek, Tekadaogahe. 

Black River, Kahuahgo. 

Sackets Harbor, Gahuagojetwaraalote. 

Wolf Island, Deawokedacanauda. 

St. Lawrence, Ganowogeh. Gahunda. 

Indian River, Ojequack. 

On an ancient French map in Yale College library, Carlton 
Island is designated Cahihououage. A town at the mouth of Black 
River, Otihanague. The St. Regis Indians name Black River 
jYikahionhakown or big river. In Mr. Squier's work, on the 
antiquities of the state, it is called Kamargo; French Creek is 
by the St. Regis called Jitenharakweldare, the place where the 
fence or wall fell down. The Ox Bow of Oswegatchie river they 
name Onontohen, a hill with the same river both sides. 

Although our territory was not actually inhabited at the time 
it first became known to Europeans, it is not without incident 
connected with the wars between the French in Canada, and the 
Iroquois of New York, who from an early period had been under 
the influence of the English. Within a very few years from the 
time of first occupation, the French had penetrated far into the 
interior, explored the great lakes, discovered the Mississippi near 
its source, and established small ports for the double purpose of 
securing the fur trade, and converting to their religion the na- 
tives. The Dutch had conciliated the Iroquois, and their influ- 
ence had been transferred to the English, who succeeded them, 
which led to a hostile incursion by De Courcelles and De Tracy 
against the Mohawks in 1665-6, resulting in nothing but the 
murder of a few aged warriors, who preferred death to the aban- 



16 English Jealousies. — Negotiation. 



-a 



donment of their homes, and in exciting to a greater degree of 
insolence the Indians, who sometime after, fell upon a party of 
French hunters, killed several, and carried others away prisoners. 
Peace was subsequently gained, during which the French got the 
permission of the natives to erect a fort at Cataroqui (Kingston), 
ostensibly to protect the traders and their merchandise. The 
Jesuits, meanwhile, availing themselves of the peace, penetrated 
the settlements of the Five Nations, and acquired to some degree 
an influence with the Onondagas. The Senecas and Cayugas 
were still jealous of the French, and continued to annoy their 
trade, which led to a complaint* from De la Bane, governor of 
Canada, to Governor Dongan of New York, that these savages 
had plundered seven canoes, and detained fourteen French traders; 
to which the principal Seneca sachem returned a spirited reply, 
and Dongan requested the French to keep their own side of the 
lake.f This provoked an insolent letter from the French gov- 
ernor, in which he said: " I sent Sieur Bourbon to you to advise 
you of the vengeance I was about to wreak for the insult inflicted 
on the Christian name by the Senecas and Cayugas, and you 
answer me about pretensions to the possessions of lands of which 
neither you ncr I are judges, but our two kings who have sent 
us, and of which there is no question at present, having no thought 
of conquering countries, but of making the Christian name and 
the French people to be respected, and in which 1 will spill the 
last drop of my blood. I have great esteem for your person, and 
considerable desire to preserve the honor of his Britannic Ma- 
jesty's good graces, as well as those of my Lord the Duke of 
York; and I even believe that they will greatly appreciate my 
chastisement of those who insult you and capture you every day, 
as they have done this winter in Merilande. But if I was so 
unfortunate as that you desired to protect robbers, assassins and 
traitors, I could not distinguish their protectors from themselves. 
I pray you then to attach faith to the credit which I give S. de 
Calvage, to explain every thing to you; and if the Senecas and 
Cayugas wish your services as their intercessor, to take security 
from them, not in the Indian but in the European fashion, with- 
out which, and the honor of hearing from you, I shall attack 
them towards the 20th of the month of August, New Style."! 
A plan of operations had been previously arranged under the 
direction of the home government, and a negotiation with the 
governor of New York could have no other object than to amuse 
and keep inactive the English forces by professions of amity, and 
a declaration that they were only at war with traitors and rob- 
bers, common enemies of mankind. Preliminaries being settled,§ 

*Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. I, p. 99. fib. p. 200. 
JLondon Doc. V. $Doc. Hist. N. Y., I. p. 110. 



De La Barrels Expedition. 17 

De la Bane, in June, 1684, sent five or six picked soldiers, and 
as many mechanics to Fort Frontenac, to repair that post, and 
on the 9th of July left Quebec, in thiee divisions, at the head of 
300 militia, which was increased to 550 at Montreal. The 
regulars and Indian allies made the entire army about 2000 men, a 
very powerful army for the time. From the difficulty of procuring 
boats and provisions, the obstruction of the rapids, and the preva- 
lence of south-west winds, the army was delayed till past the 
middle of August in arriving at Frontenac. Meanwhile, through 
the influence of Lamberville, a Jesuit at Onondaga, that village 
had become anxious that the difficulties might be settled by 
mediation, a course to which De la Barre was the more inclined 
from the shortness of provisions with which he was threatened. 
He had crossed with his army to La Famine,* a point favorable 
for hunting and fishing, 24 leagues from Onondaga, to await 
the result of negotiation. Here, exposed to the sultry heats ot 
August, and scantily supplied with provisions, most of his men 
were attacked with intermittent fevers, which assumed a malig- 
nant type, and destroyed numbers, while it incapacitated the 
remainder from hostile operations. Being thus situated, he hastily 
despatched a Christian savage to La Moine, at Onondaga, to 
have him hasten the departure of those whom the Iroquois had 
agreed to send to treat with the French governor. This was 
done with promptness, and on the third of September, nine 
deputies from Onondaga, three from Oneida and two from Cayuga, 
arrived from La Moine, and were courteously received by the 
governor, who deferred the business of the embassy till the mor- 
row. The Senecas, against whom especially the vengeance of 
the French was to have been directed, did not condescend to 
send representatives to the treaty, and returned an insolent 
answer to the invitation. They had been privately assured of 
assistance from Dongan, the English governor, in case they w T ere 
attacked. The inclination for peace which the Onondagas, 
Oneidas and Cayugas evinced, may be ascribed to the ascend- 
ency which the Jesuits residing among them had acquired. 
Colden, the historian of the Five Nations, gives the following 
version of the speeches that were delivered on the occasion. De 

*The precise locality of La Famine admits of a little doubt. Colden says 
(Five Nations, I, p. 64), "La Famine, by the Indians called Kaihohage, falls 
into the south side of the Cadarackui Lake, about 30 miles from Onondaga. 
Hungry Bay, which may be a translation of the word, is on some old maps 
represented as Chaumont Bay, on others Hend°rson Bay, and on others, all 
within Point Peninsula and Stony Island. De Meneles, the commissary of the 
expedition, in a letter to the minister (Paris Doc, II), says that the camp 
at La Famine was made " in places never inhabited, entirely surrounded 
by swamps." These render it probable that the locality was in Henderson or 
Ellisburgh, more probably in the latter town, which has extensive marshes 
near the lake, on both branches of Big Sandy Creek 



18 Speech of De la Barre. 

la Barre was seated in an arm chair, the French officers making 
a semicircle on one side, while Garangula, the orator of the 
Ononrlagas, with the warriors that attended him, completed the 
circle on the other. The arrangements being made, the French 
governor spoke as follows: 

" The king, my master, being informed that the Five Nations have of- 
ten infringed the peace, has ordered me to come hither, with a guard, 
and to send Oliguesse to the Onondagas to bring the chief Sachem to 
my camp. The intention of the great king is, that you and I may smoke 
the calumet of peace together, but on this condition, that you promise 
me in the name of the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas and Alohawks to 
give entire satisfaction and reparation to his subjects, and for the future 
never to molest them. The Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas and 
Mohawks have robbed and abused all the traders that were passing to 
the Illinois and Umatnies, and other Indian nations, the children of my 
king. They have acted on these occasions contrary to the treaty of 
peace with my predecessor. I am ordered, therefore, to demand satis- 
faction, and to tell them that in case of refusal, or their plundering us 
any more, that I have express orders to declare war. This belt confirms 
my words. The warriors of the Five Nations have conducted the English 
into the lakes, which belong to the king, my master, and brought the 
English among the nations that are his children, to destroy the trade of 
his subjects, and to withdraw these nations from him. They have car- 
ried the English thither, notwithstanding the prohibition of the late Gov- 
ernor of New York, who foresaw the risk that both they and you would 
run. I am willing to tbrget these things, but if ever the like shall hap- 
pen for the future, I have express orders to declare war against you. 
This belt confirms my words. 

Your warriors have made several barbarous incursions on the Illinois 
and Umatnies; they have massacred men. women and children, and have 
made many of these nations prisoners, who thought themselves safe in 
their villages, in time of peace. These people, who are my king's 
children, must not be your slaves; you must give them their liberty, and 
send them back into their own country. If the Five Nations shall refuse 
to do this, I have express orders to declare war against.them. This belt 
confirms my words. 

This is what I have to say to Garangula, that he may carry to the 
Senecas, Onondagas, Oneidas, Cayugas and Mohawks the declaration 
which the king, my master, has commanded me to make. He doth not 
wish them to force him to send a great army to Cataraqui fort to begin 
a war which must be fatal to them. He would be sorry that this fort, 
which was the work of peace, should become the prison of your war- 
riors. We must endeavor, on both sides, to prevent such misfortunes. 
The French, who are the brethren and friends of the Five Nations, will 
never trouble their repose, provided that the satisfaction which I demand 
be given, and the treaties of peace be hereafter observed. I shall be ex- 
tremely grieved if my words do not produce the effect which I expect 
from them, for then I shall be obliged to join with the Governor of New 
York, who is commanded by his master to assist me, and burn the cas- 
tles of the Five Nations and destroy you. This belt confirms my words." 

During this harangue, Garangula kept his eyes fixed on the 
end of his pipe, and as soon as the Governor ended, he arose, 
and, having walked several times around the circle, returned to 
his place, where he spoke standing, while De la Barre remained 
sealed: 



Speech of Garangula. 19 

"Yonnondio, I honor you, and the warriors that are with me honor 
you. Your interpreter has finished your speech. I now begin mine. 
My words make haste to reach your ears; hearken to them, Yonnondio. 
You must have helieved, when you lelt Quehec, that the sun had burnt 
up all die forests which render our country inaccessible to the French, 
or that the lakes had so overflown their hanks that they had surrounded 
our casties, and that it was impossible for us to get out of them ; yes, 
truly, you must have dreamed so, and the curiosity of seeing so great a 
wonder has brought you so far. Now you are undeceived, since that 1, 
and the warriors here present, are come to assure you, that the Cayugas, 
Senecas, Onondagas, Oneidas and Mohawks are yet alive. I thank you, 
in their name, for bringing back into their country the calumet, which 
your predecessors received from their hands. It was happy for you that 
you left under ground that murdering hatchet that has so often been 
dyed with the blood of the French. Hear! Yonnondio; I do not sleep! 
I have my eyes open, and the sun which enlightens me, discovers to me 
a great captain, at the head of a company of soldiers, who speaks as if 
he were dreaming. He says that he only came to the lakes to smoke on 
the great calumet, with the Onondagas. hut Garangula says he sees to 
the contrary; that it was to knock them on the head, if sickness had not 
weakened the arms of the French. T see Yonnondio raving in a camp 
of sick men, whose lives the great spirit has saved, by inflicting this 
sickness upon them. Hear, Yonnondio! our women had taken their 
cluhs; our children and old men had carried their bows and arrows into 
the heart of your camps, if our warriors had not disarmed them, and 
kept them back, when your messengers came to our castles. It is done ; 
I have said it. Hear, Yonnondio! we plundered none of the French, 
but those that carried guns, powder, and balls, to the Twightwies, and 
Chictagicks, because those arms might have cost us our lives. Herein 
we follow the example of the Jesuits, who break all the kegs of rum 
brought to our castles, lest the drunken Indians should knock them on 
the head. Our warriors have not beavers enough to pay for all those 
arms that they have taken, and our old men are not afraid of the war. 
This belt preserves my words. We carried the English into our lakes, 
to trade with the Utawawas, and Quatoghies, as the Adriondacks brought 
the French to our castles, to carry on a trade which the English say is 
theirs. We are born tree; we neither depend on Yonnondio, or Corlear; 
we may go where we please, and carry with us what we please, and buy 
and sell what we please. If your allies be your slaves, use them as such ; 
command them to receive no others but your people. This belt pre- 
serves my words. We knock the Twightwies and Chictagicks on the 
head, because they had cut down the trees of peace, which were the 
limits of our country. They have hunted beaver on our lands; they 
have acted contrary to the customs of the Indians, for they have left 
none of the beavers alive; they killed both male and female; they 
brought the Satanas into their country, to take part with them after they 
had concerted ill designs against us. We have done less than either the 
English or French, that have usurped the lands of so many Indian na- 
tions, and chased them from their own country. This belt preserves my 
words. Hear, Yonnondio, what I say is the voice of all the Five Nations. 
Hear what they answer: open your ears to what they speak. The Sen- 
ecas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Oneidas and Mohawks say, that when they 
buried the hatchet at Cadaraqui, in the presence of your predecessors, 
in the middle of the fort, they planted the tree of peace in the same 
place, to he there carefully preserved; that in the place of arms and am- 
munition of war, beavers and merchandise should only enter there. 



20 De la Barre Returns to Quebec. 

Hear, Yonnondio! take care, for the future, that so great a number of 
soldiers as appear there, do not choke the tree of peace, planted in so 
small a fort. It will be a great loss, if, after it had so easily taken root, 
you should stop its growth, and prevent its covering your country and 
ours with its branches. I assure you, in the name of the Five Nations, 
that our warriors shall dance to the calumet of peace under its leaves, 
and shall remain quiet on their mats, and shall never dig up the hatchet 
till their brother Yonnondio, or Corlear shall either jointly or separately, 
endeavor to attack the country which the Great Spirit has given to our 
ancestors. This belt, preserves my words, and this other the authority 
which the Five Nations have given me." Then addressing himself to the 
interpreter he said: " Take courage, you have spirit, speak, explain my 
words, forget nothing, tell all that your brethren and friends say to Yon- 
nondio, your Governor, by the mouth of Garangula, who loves you and 
desires you to accept this present of beaver, and take part with me in 
my feast, to which 1 invite you. — This present of beaver is sent to Yon- 
nondio on the part of the Five Nations." 

De Ja Barre, stung with the sarcasm of this speech, of which 
he could not but admit the truth, hastily returned on the 6th, 
having had all the sick embarked the clay before (so as not to be 
seen by the Indians), to the number 150 canoes and 12 flat 
bateaux, and on the evening of the same day arrived at Fort 
Frontenac, where he found that 110 of the number left there 
had departed, sick, for Montreal, whither the Governor followed 
the next day. At La Chine he found 45,000 lbs. of flour, which 
he had so much needed at La Famine. 

The marquis De Nonville succeeded De la Barre the next year, 
and brought from France forces thought sufficient for the reduction 
of the Senecas, which was undertaken two years after, with a 
great force,* but without success, further than ravaging their 
country with fire, and destroying a few aged and defenseless men 
and women. On the 26th of July, 1688, the Iroquois, to the 
number of 1200, invaded the island of Montreal, without notice, 
and destroyed more than a thousand French, besides carrying 
away great numbers of prisoners for torture. In these and other 
expeditions, our territory must have been the scene of many 
events of tragic interest, but the history of the details has not 
come down to us. 

During the French and English war, which in 1760 resulted 
in the complete subjection of the former, our frontier again be- 
came alive with military operations, and the principal route 
between Canada, and the Mohawk settlements, passed through 
this county. On a peninsula, called Six Town Point, a few miles 
from Sackets Harbor, is the trace of a slight work, in a square 
form with bastions at each anp;le and apparently a small stockade, 
erected during this period. Between the bastions the sides were 
but 4S feet, and the whole affair was of a slight and transient 
character. The only trace left is a slight ditch along the sides, 

*Doc. Hist, of N. Y., I, p. 193. Clarke's Hist, of Onondaga. 1, p. 267, £c. 



Traces of French Occupation. 21 

apparently formed by the decay of the wood that formed the 
delense. On one side is a row of mounds, five in number, pro- 
bably for the mounting of cannon. The locality is about \\ mile 
from the end of the point on the inside, and but a few yards from 
the water's edge. The place is partly covered by a thin growth 
of hickory and oak, and the quiet scenery of the spot is delightful. 
In a work entitled, Memoires sur le Canada, there is men- 
tioned the occupation of a post at the mouth of Sandy Creek, 
of which no trace remains. 

"Meanwhile M. de Vaudreuil, not content with having destroyed the 
munitions of the enemy, and disconcerting their projects upon the lake 
and their upper posts, resolved to capture Chouagien,* to the end that 
the colony might he tranquilized on this side, and himself left easy on the 
defensive, until succors might arrive from France. He sent f in this 
direction, a detachment of 800 men, to hold the enemy in check, and 
watch their movements, under the command of Sieur de Villiers, captain 
of the Marine, brother of M. de Fumonville. This officer was brave and 
prudent, capable of executing the most perilous enterprise, and had 
always given proof of courage. This officer took post near a river, 
named Aux Sables,! where he built a little fort of upright stakes, on a 
point where this river falls into lake Ontario. The approach was difficult, 
and concealed from view by bushes, which surrounded it, so that one 
could see but a short distance when on foot. He often appeared before 
the enemy, pillaged their munitions, and compelled them to take the 
greatest precaution in sending to Chonoguen their provisions and troops." 

The most interesting relics of the olden time Avithin the county, 
are the ruins of Fort Carlton, on Carlton or Buck's Island, called 
by the French Isle aux Chevreuils, about three miles from Cape 
Vincent and in the middle of the south channel of the St. Law- 
rence. The island, when first observed by our settlers, was partly- 
cleared; it has an undulating surface, is composed of Trenton 
limestone, and is very fertile. The surface near its head, where 
the fort is situated, rises by an easy grade to a spacious plain, 
fifty feet above the river, which was precipitous in front, and over- 
looked a small peninsula, but little elevated above the water, and 
affording on each side of the isthmus safe and ample coves for 
the anchorage of boats. On a point of this land, the government 
is about to construct a lighthouse. The area under the hill was 
completely protected by the works on the heights above, and from 
its great fertility afforded an abundance of culinary vegetables 
for the garrison. Traces occur, showing that cannon were planted 
on conspicuous points, and the trace of a submerged wharf is still 
seen, as are also wrecks of vessels in the bottom of the river 
adjacent. In the rear of the works may be seen the cemetery, 
but time has defaced the inscriptions upon the headstones, except 

* Oswego. 

1 la the month of March or April, 1756. 

X About six leagues south-west from the place now called Sackett's Harbor. 

Note in original. 



22 Ruins of Fort Carlton. 

to one grave, which has the following: "J. Farrar, D. 23, F* , 
1792." Forty years ago, carved oaken planks were standing at 
many of the graves. Several chimneys occur outside of the in- 
trenchment, and on the peninsula, in front of the fort. About a 
dozen still stand within the works, which are built of stone, in a 
permanent and massive manner, the flues being very small, and 
the bases enlarged and well founded. Near the brow of the hill, 
is a circular well about ten feet in diameter, and supposed to be 
at least as deep as the level of the river, but being partly filled 
with rubbish, this could not be determined. Here are also exca- 
vations, supposed to be for magazines. The plan of the fort 
shows it to have been after the system of Vauban, and formed 
three eighths of a circle of about 800 feet diameter; the abrupt 
face of the hill, which was doubtless protected by a stockade, not 
requiring those defenses, which were furnished to the rear. The 
ditch is excavated in rock, is 4 feet deep, and 22 wide. The covered 
way is 24 feet wide, the counterscarp vertical, the outer parapet 
4 feet high, and the glacis formed of materials taken from the 
ditch. The rampart within the ditch was of earth, and is very 
much dilapidated. Ravelins were made before each reentrant 
angle, and at the alternate salient angles, bastions were so placed 
as to command the fort and its various approaches, very effect- 
ually. No knowledge is derived from settlers of the character, 
the work, or the number or size of the inclosed buildings, except 
that a range of wooden blockhouses within the intrenchment, 
was occupied by a corporal's guard, and a few invalids. The 
premises had fallen into decay and were entirely without defensive 
works; a few iron cannon were laying on the beach, or under 
water near the shore, and the gates had been robbed of their 
hinges for the iron, which had been pawned by the soldiers. The 
premises have at all times furnished a great abundance of relics, 
among which were coins, buttons, &c, whose inscriptions and 
devices, without exception, indicajLe an English origin, and a 
period not earlier than the French war. The figures 60, K. 8. 
V, IX, 34, 22, 29, 84, 21, 31, &c, which occur on the buttons 
found, often accompanied by the device of the thistle, anchor, 
crown, &c, doubtless designated the regiments to which their 
wearers belonged. 

On the declaration of war, the guard was surprised and captured 
without resistance, the buildings burned, and never after used as a 
fort. The state reserved the island for its supposed importance 
in a military point of view, in their sale to Macomb. In 1796, 
the surveyors of this purchase found a corporal and three men 
in charge, and there were four long twelve, and two six-pound 
cannon mounted. But little is said by historians and travelers, 
of this place, as it appears never to have been the theatre of 



History of Fort Carlton. 23 

events that give interest to the former, and was not in the chan- 
nel commonly taken by regular vessels, and therefore seldom 
visited by the latter. The Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt* 
mentions it as follows: "During the American war, the British 
troops were constantly in motion, and in later times they were 
quartered in an island which the French called Isle au Chevreaux, 
and which the English have named Carlton, after Lord Dor- 
chester." The island hail been known to the French by this 
name from an early period, and it is mentioned as one of the 
stopping places of Count Frontenac in his expedition against 
the Onondagas, as follows:! "On the 26th [July, 1696], they 
took their departure, and encamped at Deer Island (Isle aux 
Chevreuils); the scouts marching continually ahead of the army. 
Sieur de Luth, captain, was left in the fort [Frontenac], as com- 
mandant, with a garrison of forty men, and masons and carpenters 
necessary for the buildings which he was recommended to hasten. 
There remained only twenty-six sick in the fort, most of whom 
were wounded in the legs ascending the rapids. On the 27ih 
they got to within three leagues of Riviere de la Famine [Black 
River], and on the 28th to the mouth of that of Onnontague. 

This station was used by the English during and alter the 
revolution, and garrisoned by invalid troops. It was an import- 
ant post, as it commanded the navigation of the south channel of 
the St. Lawrence, while Kingston controlled the other. Although 
the French had ceased to command in Canada, yet their memory 
was cherished with affection by the savages, who continued to 
receive presents and be influenced by the French in Louisiana 
and their western posts. Policy, therefore, dictated that this 
place should be kept' up against any time of danger that might 
arise. Having carefully examined every author within reach, 
both English and French, we have been unable to ascertain the 
precise time of erection of this fort. It certainly did not exist 
before 175S, as it does not occur in any of the lists of stations 
previous to that period, but a manuscript is preserved among the 
Paris DocumentsJ in the archives of the state at Albany, that, 
throws some light upon the subject if it does not solve the mys- 
tery entirely. From this, it appears, that in November, 1758, the 
Marquis de Vaudreuil, governor of Canada, had drawn up a 
paper on the defenses of that country, which was then at war 
with the English, that was submitted to the Marquis de Mont- 
calm for his revision, and met with his entire approval. He 
proposed to send 1500 men to defend the approaches of Canada 
on the side of Lake Ontario, by the erection of a post to be selected 

* Travels through the United States and the Country of the Iroquois, in 
1795-6-7, London, vol. I, p. 280. 

t Doc. Hist. N. Y., vol. I, p. 329. | Vol. XV, p. 170. 



24 



History of Fort Carlton 



at the head of the St. Lawrence, and laid out alter the plans of 
M. de Fontleroy, who was to be sent for that purpose. The 
station thus chosen and fortified would at the same time become 
the head of the frontier, and entrepot for every military 
operation in that quarter, instead of Frontenac, or the Bay of 
Niohoure, which can never be regarded as such, as the English 
might enter the St. Lawrence without exposing themselves, or 
giving any knowledge ot their passage. He proposed to build 
xebecs instead of barks, as better fitted for the navigation of the 
lake, and the transportation of supplies. The place was to be 
made susceptible of defense by an army, and to have magazines 
for stores and barracks for the lodgement of troops in the winter. A 
quantity of supplies was to be sent to la Presentation,* consisting 
of tools and implements of all kinds necessary to be used against 
Oswego, or in the erection of the works. Levasseur and Pellegrin, 
experienced shipwrights, were to be sent up from Quebec to advise 
upon all the details connected with the plan of establishing upon 
the lake an adequate system of defense. Canada presented at 
that time three frontiers; the St. Lawrence from the Atlantic, 
Lake Champlain and the West; each of which claimed a share of 
attention. It was intended that the proposed work should be 
adequate, with those lower down, for the defense of the latter, 
and it was designed to put in command an active, disinterested 
and capable man, to accelerate the work, and render the opera- 
tions complete. Such a man the Chevalier de Levy was con- 
sidered to be, and he was accordingly named as the person to 
have chief direction and command of the work. Such are the 
outlines of the plan, which the means within our reach have not 
enabled us to learn were carried out at that time, and to the ex- 
tent contemplated. No one can stand upon the spot occupied by 
this ruin, and survey its natural advantages for defense, the 
ample bays for shipping which it overlooks, and the complete 
command of the channel which it affords, without being convinced 
that the site was admirably chosen, and that in the selection the 
projectors were guided by much discretion. With these brief 
remarks we shall pass to the subjects connected with Jefferson 
county during the period of its present settlement. 

*Ogdensburgh. 



CHAPTER II. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &c. 

The current of immigration and settlement having been di- 
rected into the Black River valley, about the close of the last 
century, the country filled up in the space of a few years with a 
rapidity that has been seldom equaled, and it soon became diffi- 
cult to meet the demands of justice, without the erection of new 
counties. The changes which had been previously made, so far 
as relates to our territory, were as follows : 

Albany, formed Nov. 1, 1683 (an original county). 

Tryon, " March 12, 1772, from Albany. 

Montgomery, changed April 2, 1784, from Tryon. 

Herkimer, formed February 1G, 1791, from Montgomery. 

Oneida, " March 15, 1798, from Herkimer. 

Such had been the rapidity of settlement within five or six 
years from its opening, that the necessity of a division of Oneida 
became apparent, and local interests began to operate to secure 
the advantages expected from the location of the public build- 
ings. Each section had its advocates. Nathan Sage in Red- 
field, Walter Martin in Martinsburg, Silas Stow and others in 
Lowville, Moss, Kent, Noadiah Hubbard and others in Cham- 
pion, Henry Coffeen in Watertown, and Jacob Brown in Brown- 
ville, were each intent upon the project of a county seat. Many 
were for having but one new county, in which case Champion 
had the fairest prospects of success, and indeed such had been 
the chances, in the opinion of several prominent citizens, that 
they had located there. Among these were Moss Kent, a 
brother of Judge James Kent, Egbert Ten Eyck, &c. To ob- 
tain an expression of public opinion on this subject, three dele- 
gates, chosen at town meetings, from each town interested in the 
question, met at the house of Freedom' Wright, in Harrisburgh, 
(Denmark), November 20th, 1804. Many went with the inten- 
tion of voting for one new county only, but strong local interests 
led to the attendance of those who so influenced the voice of the 
delegation that, with but one exception, they decided for two 
new counties, and the convention united upon recommending 
the names of the executive officers of the state and federal 
governments then in office, from whence came the names of 
Jefferson and Lewis, from Thomas Jefferson and Morgan Lewis, 
both men of national celebrity. 

Application was accordingly made to the legislature, and on 
the 4th of March 1805, Mr. Wright, in the assembly, from the 
3 



26 Act Erecting Jefferson and Leivis Counties. 

committee to whom was referred the petitions and remonstrances 
from the inhabitants of the county of Oneida, relative to a divi- 
sion thereof, reported, "that they had examined the facts stated, 
as to population and extent of territory in said county, and the 
inconvenience of attending county concerns, and find the same to 
be true." A division was deemed necessary, and leave was 
granted to bring in a bill, which was twice read the same day, 
and passed through the legislature without opposition, being as 
follows: 
Act , erecting Lewis and Jefferson Counties, Passed March 28, 1805. 

1. " Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in 
Senate and Assembly, That all that part of the county of Oneida, contained 
within the following bounds, to wit: Beginning at the southwest corner 
of the town of Ellisburgh, on the easterly shore of Lake Ontario, and 
running along the southerly line of said town; thence along the easterly 
line thereof to the southwest corner of the town of Malta; thence along the 
southerly line of the said town of Malta, and continuing the same course to 
the corner of townships number two, three, seven and eight; thence 
north along the east line of the town of Malta aforesaid to the northeast 
corner thereof; thence in a direct line to the corner of the towns of Rut- 
land and Champion; thence along the line between the said town of 
Champion and the town of Harrisburgh, to Black River; thence in a 
direct line to the bounds of the county of St. Lawrence, to intersect the 
same at the corner of townships numbers seven, and eleven, in Great 
Tract number three, of Macomb's Purchase; thence along the westerly 
bounds of the said county of St. Lawrence to the north bounds of this 
state; thence westerly and southerly along said bounds, including all the 
islands in the River St. Lawrence, in Lake Ontario, and in front thereof, 
and within this state to the place of beginning, shall be, and hereby is, 
erected into a separate county, and shall be called and known by the name 
of Jefferson. 

2. Jind be it further enacted, that all that part of the said county of Oneida, 
contained within the following bounds, to wit: Beginning at the south- 
east corner of the county Of Jefferson aforesaid, thence southerly along 
the westerly line of the town of Turin to the southwest corner thereof; 
thence easterly along the south line of said town to the southeast corner 
thereof; thence north, sixty two degrees east along the southerly line of 
the tract of land, known by the name of Macomb's Purr base, to the line 
of the county of Herkimer; thence north along the said last mentioned 
line to the bounds of the county of St. Lawrence; thence along the 
southwesterly line of the said 1 ist mentioned county to the line of the 
county of Jefferson; and thence along tiie southerly and easterly bounds 
thereof, to the place of beginning, shall be and hereby is erected into a 
separate county, by the name of Lewis. 

3. And be itfurther enacted, that all that part of township number nine, 
which is comprised within the bounds of the said county of Jefferson, 
shall be annexed to and become a part of the town of Harrison, in said 
county, and that all that part of the said township Dumber nine, comprised 
within the bounds of the said county of Lewis,- shall be annexed to and 
become a part of the town of Harrisburgh, in said county. 

4. And be itfurther enacted, That there shall be held in and for the said 
counties of Jefferson and Lewis, respectively, a court of common pleas, 
and general sessions of the peace, and that there shall be two terms of 



Act Erecting Jefferson and Lewis Counties. 27 

the said courts in each of the said counties respectively, in every year, 
to commence and end as follows, that is to say: The first term of the 
said court in the said county of Jefferson, shall begin on the second 
Tuesday of June in every year, and may continue to he held until the 
Saturday following, inclusive, and the second term of the said court in 
the said county of Jefferson, shall begin on the second Tuesday of De- 
cember, of every year, and may continue to be held until the Saturday 
following inclusive. And that the first term of the said court in the 
county of Lewis, shall begin on the said first Tuesday of June, in every 
year, and may continue to be held until the Saturday following inclusive, 
and the second term of the said court in the said count}' of Lewis, shall 
begin on the first Tuesday of December, and may continue to be held 
until the Saturday following inclusive; and the said courts of common 
pleas and general sessions of the peace, shall have the same jurisdiction, 
powers, and authorities, in the same counties respectively, as the court 
of common pleas, and general sessions of the* peace, in the other counties 
of the state have in their respective counties; Provided always, That 
nothing in this act contained shall be construed to affect any suitor action 
already commenced, or that shall be commenced, before the first terms to 
be held in the respective counties of Jefferson and Lewis, so as to work 
a wrong or prejudice to any of the parties therein, or to affect any 
criminal or other proceedings on the part of the people of this state, but 
all such civil and criminal proceedings, shall, and may be prosecuted to 
trial, judgment and execution, as if this act had not been passed; and 
further provided, that the first of the said courts in each of the said coun- 
ties, shall be held on the second Tuesday of December next. 

5. Andhe it further enacted, That three commissioners shall be appointed 
by the council of appointment, who shall not be resident within the 
western district of this state, or interested in either of the said counties 
of Jefferson or Lewis, for the purpose of designating the scites for the 
court houses and gaols, of the said counties respectively, and to that end 
the said commissioners shall as soon as may be, previous to the first day 
of October next, repair to the said counties respectively, and after explor- 
ing the same, ascertain and designate a fit and proper place* in each of 
the said counties for erecting the said buildings, and that until such 
buildings shall be erected, and further legislative provision be made in 
the premises, the said courts of common pleas and general sessions of 
the peace, shall be held at such place in each of the said counties, nearest 
and most contiguous to the places designated as the scites for said build- 
ings, as the said commissioners or any two of them shall determine and 
fix upon; and the said commissioners, or any two of them, are hereby 
required as soon as they have designated the places for erecting the said 
buildings, and determined upon the places tor holding the said com ts, 
to make out and sign a- certificate, certifying the place designated for 
erecting the said buildings, and places fixed on for holding courts, in each 
of the said counties, and to transmit one of the said certificates to each of 
the clerks of the respective counties, who are required to receive and file 
the same in their respective offices, and that the said commissioners 
shall be entitled to receive, each, the sum of four dollars per day, for the 
time they may be necessarily employed in executing the trusts reposed 
in them by this act, the one moiety thereof to be paid by each of the said 
counties. 

G. And he it further enacted, That the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
said counties respectively, shall have and enjoy, within the same, all and 
every the same rights, powers and privileges as the freeholders and in- 
habitants of any other county in this state are by law entitled to have 
and enjoy. 



28 Changes in Boundaries of County. 

7. And be it further enacted, Tlmt it shall and may be lawful for all 
courts, and officers of the said counties of Jefferson and Lewis, respect- 
ively, in all cases, civil and criminal, to confine their prisoners in the gaol 
or gaols of the county of Oneida, until gaols shall be provided in the 
same counties respectively, and the said counties paying each the charges 
of their own prisoners. 

8. And be it further enacted, That in the distribution of representation in 
the assembly of this state, there shall be three members in the county 
of Oneida, and one in the counties of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence, 
any law to the contrary notwithstanding. 

9. And be it further enacted, That no circuit court, or courts of oyer and 
terminer, and general gaol delivery, shall be held in either of the said 
counties of Jefferson and Lewis, until the sr.me shall in the opinion of 
the justices of the supreme court become necessary. 

10. And be it further enacted, That the said counties of Jefferson and 
Lewis, shall be considered as part of the western district of this state, 
and also as part of the fifteenth congressional district, and that as re- 
spects all proceedings under the act, entitled "an act relative to district 
attornies," the said counties shall be annexed to and become a part of 
the district now composed of the counties of Herkimer, Otsego, Oneida, 
and Chenango. 

11. And be it further enacted, That as soon as may be, after the first 
Monday of April, in the year 180G, the supervisors of the said counties 
of Oneida, Jefferson, ami Lewis, on notice being first given by the super- 
visors of tlie said counties of Jefferson and Lewis, or of either of them, 
for that purpose shall meet together by thernselves, or by committees 
appointed by their respective boards, and divide the money unappro- 
priated, belonging to the said county of Oneida, previous to the division 
thereof, agreeable to the last county tax list. 

12. And be itfurther enacted, That the votes, taken at the election in the 
said counties of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence, shall be returned, to 
the clerk of the county of Oneida, to be by him estimated and disposed 
of, as is directed by the statute regulating elections. 

13. And be it further enacted, That all that part of the town of Leyden, 
remaining in the county of Oneida, shall be and remain a separate town, 
by the name of Boonsville, and the first town meeting^ shall be held at 
the house of Joseph Denning, and all the remaining part of the town of 
Leyden, which is comprised within the bounds of the county of Lewis, 
shall be and remain a town by the name of Leyden, and the first town 
meeting shall be held at the dwelling house of llezekiah Talcott. 

14. And be it further enacted, That as soon as may be, after the first 
town meeting in each of said towns, the supervisors, and overseers of the 
poor, of said towns of Leyden, and Boonsville, shall by notice to be given 
lor that purpose, by the supervisors thereof, meet together, and apportion 
the money and poor of said town of Leyden, previous to the division 
thereof, according to the last tax list, and that each of said towns shall 
thereafter respectively maintain their own poor." 

The relative limits of Jefferson and Lewis counties have been 
three times changed. It will be noticed by reference, that the 
present town of Pinckney, was then divided by a line that was 
a continuation of the west lines of towns S and 3, of Boylston's 
Tract; and, that from the line between Chainpionand Denmark, 
on Black River, the division ran straight to St. Lawrence County 
where the line of townships 7 and 11 of tract III touched 



Location of Public Buildings. 29 

the county line. On the 12th of February, 1808, the whole 
of No. 9 (Pinckney) was included in Lewis County. On the 
5th of April, IS 10, the line east of the river, beginning as 
before at the east corner of Champion, ran thence to S. W. 
corner of a lot in 11th W. and 21st N. ranges, subdivisions of 
No. 5; thence E. between 20 and 21, northern ranges, to S. W. 
corner of lot in 10 W., 21 N. range; thence N. between 10 and 
11, to S. line of lot No. 4; thence E. to 808-9; thence along 
808-9, to lot 857; thence to S. E. corner of 857 and 809, to 
N. E. corner of 851; then W. on line of lots 851 and S50, to 
S. W. coiner of 850; thence N. E. along line of lots to St. 
Lawrence County. On the 2d of April 1813, the present line 
between the two counties was established, by which this county 
received considerable accessions from Lewis in the town of 
Wilna. By an act of March 17, IS 15, the several islands within 
the limits of this state, in the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, 
lying in front of this county, were attached to it. By several 
acts the sovereignty of small tracts on Stony Point, Horse Island, 
Galloo Island, Tibbet's Point, and Carlton Island, has been 
ceded to the United States, for the purpose of erecting light 
houses, the state retaining concurrent civil and criminal juris- 
diction therein. 

The governor, and council of appointment, accordingly desig- 
nated Matthew Dorr, David Bodgers, and John Van Beniheuscn, 
commissioners to locate the site of the court house and jail; and 
a section in an act, passed April 7, 1806, provided that their 
expenses should be audited by the comptroller, and paid by tax 
upon the counties. The portion paid by this county was $205. 
How faithfully their trust was executed, it may not be our duty 
to enquire; but in Lewis county, they were openly charged with 
having come predetermined in their choice, and an affidavit was 
procured from one who had overheard their conversation, in 
which this fact was distinctly indicated. As matters have since 
settled down, their decision here has doubtless been productive of 
the greatest benefit to the county, although the precise locality 
has always been somewhat inconvenient on account of its dis- 
tance from the business part of the village. This question of 
location was not settled without the most active efforts being 
made by Brownville to secure the site; but the balance of settle- 
ment was then south of Black River, and the level lands in the 
north part of the county were represented to the commissioners 
as swampy and incapable of settlement. Jacob Brown, finding 
it impossible to secure this advantage to his place, next endea- 
vored to retain it, at least, north of Black River, and offered an 
eligible site in the present town of Pamelia; but in this he also 
failed. The influence of Henry Coffeen is said to have been 



SO Location and Erection of Buildings. 

especially strong with the commissioners, although he was se- 
conded by others of much ability. It is said that the site was 
marked at some distance below the business part of the village of 
Watertown, to conciliate those who had been disappointed in its 
location. A deed of the premises was presented by Henry and 
Amos CofTeen which were, it is said, intended to include the 
triangular lot since sold to private individuals. 

The first meeting of the board of supervisors was held in the 
school house, on the site of the Universal ist Church in Watertown, 
October 1, 1805, and the following peisons constituted the first 
board. Noadiah Hubbard, Champion; Cliff French, Rutland; 
Corlis Hinds, Watertown; John W. Collins, Brownville ; Nich- 
olas Salisbury, Jidams; Thomas White, Harrison; Lyman Ellis, 
Ellisbiirgh; Asa Brown, Malta. N. Hubbard was chosen •pre- 
sident, and Zelotus Harvey clerk. The meeting was adjourned 
to the house of Abijah Putnam. Cliff French, Thomas White, 
and Corlis Hinds, were appointed a committee to procure a con- 
veyance of the land on which the court house and jail were to 
be erected. The following was the aggregate of the real and 
personal estate in the several towns: Ellisburg, $S0,109; Water- 
town, $69,986-50; Adams, $33,606; Brownville, $447,240; 
Harrison, $43,395; Malta, $49,248; Rutland, $44,829; Cham- 
pion, $42,578-50; Total, $S05,992. Henry Coffeen presented 
a bill of $85*86, and Jacob Brown of $100, for attendance at 
Albany, in procuring the division of Oneida county, which 
were rejected. The latter had been appointed by the convention 
at Denmark for that purpose. Hart Massey was appointed sealer 
of weights and measures, and $45, and the next year $30 were 
voted to purchase a set of standards of specified materials. 

In 1806, the board consisted of Jacob Brown, Corlis Hinds, 
Perley Keyes, Noadiah Hubbard, Jonathan Davis, Augustus 
Sacket, Ethni Evans, Jesse Hopkins, Asa Brown, and Nicholas 
Salisbury. J. Brown and A. Sacket were appointed to settle all 
accounts pending with Oneida and Lewis counties, by meeting 
at Whitestown, with committees to be chosen by them for the 
purpose. At a subsequent meeting they reported $328*61 due 
to Jefferson; $293*54 to Lewis, and $1670*73 to Oneida counties, 
from the funds on hand at the time of division. Messrs. Hinds, 
Salisbury, and J. Brown, were appointed to report the expediency 
and probable cost of a jail, and the most advisable course to be 
pursued. The expense of sending prisoners to Whitestown was 
found heavy, and it was apprehended that public officers would 
reluctantly spend their time in going to and from thence. " Hence 
many criminals might escape a just punishment, and the county 
might be infested with criminals to the great danger and injury 
of its inhabitants." The committee reported that two-thirds of 



Jail Limits. 31 

all county charges were paid by non resident taxes, and a pro- 
spect then existed that this law would be repealed. They, 
therefore, advised the immediate erection of a jail, and it was 
estimated it could be built for $4,500; that $2,500 would pro- 
vide one better for the interests of the county than the existing 
system. J. Brown and A. Sackett were appointed to draft a 
petition to the legislature which procured on the 20th of Feb. 
a law authorizing a tax of $2,500 for erecting a court house and 
jail, and Feb. 19, 1808, a further tax of 2,500 was applied for. In 
1807, Noadiah Hubbard and Zelotus Harvey were appointed a 
committee to meet a similar one from Lewis County, to ascertain 
the boundary of the two counties. William Smith, Gershom Tuttle 
and N. Hubbard, were appointed to build a jail after a plan to be 
approved by the board. It was to be 40 by 60 feet, built of 
wood, and fronting eastward, and was built in 1807-8, by Win. 
Rice and Joel Mix, after the plans of Win. Smith. It contained 
a jail in the first story, and stood a little south of the present Jail. 
On the 30lh of Jan. 1808, the superintendents were empowered 
"to build a sufficient tower and cupola on the centre of said 
building, and cover the dome of said cupola with tin, and so 
construct the said tower and cupola that it shall be sufficiently 
strong and convenient so as to hang a bell, and to erect a sphere 
and vane, and also a suitable rod to conduct the lightning from 
said building." On the 5th of Oct. 1808, the accounts of the 
Court House audited, including extra work and services of com- 
mittee, amounted to $4,997.5S. Wm. Smith was directed to 
purchase the necessary fixtures for the Court House and Jail, at an 
estimated cost of $262*87. 

In 1807 (Aug. 13), the jail liberties were first established, and 
deserve mention from the singular manner in which they were 
laid out. They covered a small space around the Court House, 
and a part of the Public Square, and included most of tbe houses 
in the village, while between these localities, along the sides of 
the roads, and sometimes in the centre, were paths, from four to 
eight feet wide, with occasional crossings, so that by carefully 
observing his route, turning right angles, and keeping himself in 
the stricf ranges which the court had established, a man might 
visit nearly every building in the village; but if the route was 
by any accident obstructed by a pile of lumber, a pool of mud, 
or a loaded wagon, he must pass over, or through, or under; or 
else expose himself to the peril of losing this precarious freedom, 
by close imprisonment, and subjecting his bail to prosecution for 
the violation of his trust. In several instances, persons were 
thus dealt with, where they had inadvertently turned aside from 
the straight and narrow path, to which the statutes of that period 
allowed the creditor to consign his unfortunate debtor. A map 



32 Clerics- Office, Court House, and Jail. 

of these limits, prepared by Jonas Smith, who for several years 
had made these details a subject of daily observation from ne- 
cessity, was prepared in July, 3811, and deposited in the clerk's 
office. It is interesting from its containing the names of those 
who then owned houses in the village, of whom there were about 
fifty. These limits were maintained till Feb. 23, 1821, when 
an act was passed defining a rectangular area around the village 
as the jail limits. In 1808 a series of maps was directed to be 
prepared by Jonas Smith, for the comptroller's office, at a cost 
of $100, and at the same session Messrs. Richardson, Hubbard 
and Hopkins, were appointed to petition the legislature for a 
law to provide for the destruction of Canada thistles. On the 
9th of October, 1815, the supervisors voted a petition for a tax 
of $1000 to build a fire-proof clerk's office, and April 5, 1816, 
an act was passed accordingly, allowing a tax not exceeding 
$1500 for this purpose, and Ebenezer Wood, Ethel Bronson and 
Egbert Ten Eyck were named as commissioners to build the 
same. The conduct of a certain senator, in substituting the 
name ot another man for that of Judge Brown on the committee, 
w r as most strongly condemned by a subsequent vote of the super- 
visors. A clerk's office was accordingly built between the pre- 
sent Episcopal Church and the Public Square, and was occupied 
until the present one was erected in 1831, in accordance with an 
act of Jan. 26, 1831. The supervisors in 1829 had appointed a 
committee to investigate the matter, and in 1830 had petitioned 
for the act, which named Daniel Wardwell, Eli West, and Ste- 
phen D. Sloan, commissioners for this purpose, who were em- 
powered to borrow on the credit of the county $1000, for the 
purpose, and to sell the former office and lot. 

In December, 1817, the Court House was injured by fire, which 
occasioned a meeting of the board, and $500 were voted for re- 
pairs. On the 9th of Feb. 1821, the Court House and Jail were 
burned, and on the 12th, the supervisors met to take into con- 
sideration the measures necessary for the occasion. A petition 
was forwarded for a law authorizing a tax of $8000 to rebuild 
the county buildings, and a loan of $6000 for the same purpose. 
It was resolved to build the jail separate from the court house, 
and both buildings were to be of stone. Elisha Camp, Nathan 
Strong and John Brown, were appointed commissioners to super- 
intend the building. Premiums of $10 for a plan of a court 
house, and $15 for one of a jail, were offered. An act was ac- 
cordingly passed, March 13, 1821, for the separate erection of 
these buildings, at a cost not exceeding $8000, under the 
direction of Eliphalet Edmonds, Henry H. Coffeen and Jabez 
Foster. The courts meanwhile were to be held at the brick 
academy, and criminals were to be sent to the Lewis County Jail. 



Maintenance of Prisoners. 33 

A loan not exceeding $6000 was authorized from the state. On 
the 28th of March the board met, and the plan for a jail offered 
by Wm. Smith, was adopted, and a resolution was passed pro- 
viding for solitary cells. The court house was agreed to be 44 
by 48 feet, after a plan by J. H. Bishop. This necessity of an 
outlay for new buildings revived the question of a new site, and 
among others, the citizens of Sackets Harbor made diligent efforts, 
by petition, to secure their location, but without success; and in 
the same season the present Court House and a part of the present 
Jail were erected, which continued to be occupied until November 
1848, when the Hon. Jas. M. Comstock, one of the inspectors of 
county and state prisons, reported to the Hon. Robert Lansing, 
judge of the county, the entire failure of the County Jail to meet 
the requirements of the statute in relation to the safety, health 
and proper classification of prisoners, and expressed his belief 
that the arrangements required by law could not be attained, 
without the construction of a new prison building. This report, 
approved by the judge, and certified by the clerk of the board, 
was laid before the supervisors, a committeee appointed, who 
visited the Jail and confirmed the report, but alter repeated efforts 
the board failed to agree upon a resolution providing for the 
necessary rebuilding of the county prison. This led to the issue 
of a writ of mandamus, by the supreme court, in December, on 
the motion of G. C. Sherman, requiring the board of supervisors 
to proceed without delay to the erection of a new jail, or the 
repair of the one then existing. This necessity for a new prison 
suggested the project of the division of the county into two jury 
districts, and the erection of two sets of buildings, at other places 
than Watertown, and the question became, for a short time, one 
of considerable discussion in various sections of the county. The 
question was settled by the erection of an extensive addition 
to the Jail, two stories high, and considered adequate for the 
wants of the county for some time to come, at least, if the course 
adopted was that recommended by the board of supervisors, Oc- 
tober 20, 1820, as set forth in the following resolution: 

" Whereas the maintenance of prisoners, committed to the 
County Jail for small offences, in the manner that they have been 
usually sentenced, has been attended with great expense to the 
people of this county, and in many instances has operated to 
punish the county with taxes, more than the criminals for offences, 
and whereas some courts of special sessions have sentenced them 
to imprisonment upon bread and water, which lessens the expense 
-to this county, and the same operates as a punishment more 
effectually than longer terms of imprisonment would in the 
ordinary way; the board of supervisors, therefore, recommend 
generally to magistrates and courts of sessions in mittimuses, 



34 Poor House System. 

upon conviction of petty crimes, to make the length of confine- 
ment less, and direct the jailor to keep the offenders upon bread 
and water during the time of their imprisonment. The board 
would recommend in such cases that the prisoners be not sen- 
tenced to be kept, longer than thirty days in any case, it may 
endanger the health of the convicts. 

Resolved, That the jailer for the future, be directed not to 
procure any thing more expensive for criminals than moccasins 
at fifty cents a pair, instead of shoes, nor procure any hats, and 
to purchase as little clothing as possible, and that of the poorest 
and least expensive kind." 

Previous to the adoption of the poor-house system, each town 
supported its own poor, and the records of the board show annual 
appropriations in many of the towns for that purpose, of from 
$50 to $800. In 1817, $50 was voted to build a town poor- 
house in Le Ray, and in 1822 the supervisors recommended to 
the several towns to take into consideration at their next annual 
meetings the propriety of building a poor house and house of 
industry for the county, as advised by an act of March 3, 1S20. 
In April, 1825, a meeting of the board was called, and a com- 
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Hubbard, Hart and Stewart, was 
appointed to ascertain the most suitable site for erecting a poor 
house, and the price for which a farm could be purchased, within 
five miles of the Couit House. The cost of buildings was limited 
to $2000. They were directed to advertise for proposals for 
purchasing a farm, if they should think proper. On the 7th of 
June an adjourned meeting of the supervisors met to hear the 
above report. After visiting the premises in a body, it was re- 
solved to purchase the Dudley Farm in Le Ray, five miles from 
Watertown, containing 150 acres, at $10 per acre. Committees 
were appointed to procure titles, and to fit up the premises, 
which continued to be occupied for that purpose until Nov. 1832, 
when the supervisors voted a petition for the power to sell the 
property and borrow $4000 on ihe credit ot the county, for build- 
ing a new one on a new site, if the interests of the county re- 
quired it. They procured an act, January 25, 1833, granting 
this power,, and providing for the execution of this trust, by three 
commissioners to be appointed by the supervisors. At their fol- 
lowing session, the board, after much discussion, finally agreed 
to erect a new poor house, on a farm of 100 acres, purchased of 
J. Foster, for $1500, about a mile below Watertown, north of 
the river, and Orville Hungerford, Joseph Graves, and Bernard 
Bagley, were appointed to carry the resolution into effect. 

The distinction between town and county poor was abolished 
by a vote of the supervisors in November, 1834, and this has 
been since several times changed. In 1832, the experiment of 



Cholera Expenses. 3*"> 

picking oakum was tried with a profit of $154 the first year. 
The culture of the mulberry has also been attempted, but with 
small success. The first superintendents of the poor house, ap- 
pointed in 1826, were Orville Hungerford, Wm. S. Ely, Peter 
Yandes, John Hoover, and Asher Wilmot, and an equal number 
was annually appointed until the adoption of the present con- 
stitution. The persons elected under the general law, were David 
Montague, Charles F. Symonds and Phineas Hardy, in 1848; 
Martin J. Hutchins, 1849; Feter S. Houk, 1850; Austin Everitt, 
1851. It being thought by certain ones that the general law 
was not the best that could be devised for the county, an effort 
was made in 1852, which procured on the 12th of April an 
act which directed but one overseer of the poor to be here- 
after elected in each town in this county, and the duties of 
overseers of the poor were conferred upon the supervisor and 
such overseer, in the several towns, who were to be associated 
together in affording relief to the indigent within certain limits, 
to be prescribed by the board of supervisors for each town. No 
superintendents of the poor were to be thereafter elected, but one 
is to be appointed by the board of supervisors, to hold his office 
during their pleasure. He is to reside at the poor house, and be 
the keeper thereof. In case of vacancy, the county judge, clerk 
and treasurer, or any two of them, are to fill the vacancy by 
temporary appointment until another is chosen. In the fall of 
1854, and annually, afterwards, two visitors are to be appointed 
by the board of supervisors, to visit the poor house every two 
months, and examine its books and management. Contracts for 
medicines and medical attendance, are to be made by the super- 
visors, individually, in the several towns, and as a board for the 
poor house. They have also the power of directing the manner 
in which supplies for the poor house shall be purchased, which 
directions the superintendent is obliged to follow. The provisions 
of this act apply to no other county than this. The board of 
supervisors, in accordance with powers thus conferred, appointed 
Alpheus Parker, superintendent, who entered upon his duties 
Jan. 1, 1853. His salary was fixed at $600, by a resolution of 
the board, passed Nov. 1852. This system has not been in 
operation long enough to afford a knowledge of its merits com- 
pared with the general system. 

Among the appropriations for benevolent purposes, may be 
classed the expenses resulting from the Health Law of 1832, as 
a guard against the ravages of the cholera, which in the several 
towns were as follows, viz: Adams $19*00, Alexandria $159*93, 
Antwerp $31*50, Brownville $60*13, Chamoion $2-50, Ellis- 
burgh $193-50, Henderson $114*35, Houndsfield $795" 12, Lor- 
raine $9*50, Lyme $443*08, Orleans $267*22, Pamelia $6*75, 



36 Bounties for Wild Animals. — Early Courts. 

Rutland $ 10-00, Wilna $12-85, Philadelphia $10-50, Watertown 
$167-05, LeRay $2-00, Total $2299-98. But little, if any good, 
resulted from this expenditure, as the disease scarcely appeared 
in the county. 

Of bounties for the destruction of noxious animals, every new 
country affords examples, but in this, much less than in some 
others. The want of uniformity in the several towns, led the 
board of supervisors in 1808, to recommend that $5 should be 
made the limit of town bounties. This diversity of premiums 
presented a temptation for fraud, and in some instances it is said, 
wolves were driven from one town into another by hunters, to 
gain the extra sum there offered. The board has usually voted 
a county bounty, which from 1805 to 1819 was $10 for wolves 
and panthers, except that it was in 1815, 16, 17 and 18, $20 
for the latter. In 1819 $10 was voted for panthers and in 1820 
the same for wolves and panthers, with half price for the young. 
in 1821 there were no bounties granted. For several years after 
they were continued at $10, seldom amounting to more than half 
a dozen in a year. 

The first records of Courts are dated June 1807, but others must 
have been held earlier. An act was passed, April 1806, directing 
three terms of the court of common pleas to be held in this 
county and Lewis, since which the times of holding courts have 
been repeatedly changed. Tradition says, that, after formal ad- 
journment, the first court, which was held in the school house, on 
the ground now covered by the Universalist Church, became a 
scene of fun and fiolic, which has since been seldom equaled. 
The greater part of the settlers were young or middle aged men, 
some indulged in habits of intemperance; the customs of the 
day did not discountenance practical joking, and athletic games 
were invariably the accompaniments of all gatherings. More- 
over they had been just organized, and must have business for 
their courts, else what the need of having courts 1 Should any 
one evince a disinclination to join in these proceedings, they were 
accused of "sneakism," and arraigned before a mock tribunal, 
where, guilty or not guilty, the penalty of a "quarter," was sure 
to be imposed for the benefit of the crowd. Among other charges 
was one against Esq. H.,of Rutland, a man of very sober and 
candid character, who was charged with stealing. Conscious of 
innocence, he offered to be searched, when a quantity of dough 
was found in both pockets of his coat. Thus implicated by cir- 
cumstances which he could not explain, he was fined. Another 
was accused of falling asleep, and fined a shilling, and another 
was fined a like sum for smoking in the court room. After pay- 
ing the penalty, he resumed his pipe, and was again arraigned, 
when he entered his plea that the fine was for a pipe full, which 



Early Courts. 37 

he had not finished, and this afforded a subject of legal argument 
for discussion, that elicited the research and ability of the lawyers 
present. As the avowed intention was to make business for all 
the new officers, one was stripped and laid out on a board, loosely 
covered with cloth, and a coroner sent for, who commenced a 
bona fide examination, that was interrupted by some one tipping 
over the board, when the "subject" of the hoax jumped up and 
fled. There had not thus far been any business for the sheriff, 
but this was at length made, by their finding one who had crept 
into the garret for concealment. He was dragged before their 
tribunal, where it was decided that his failing was a disease, 
rather than a crime, and required an enema. This "carnival" 
w r as continued the second day, and although the officers of the 
court affected to abstain from these frolics, yet judicial dignity 
offered no exemption from them, and all parties, whether willing 
or unwilling, were compelled to join. Companies, distinguished 
by personal peculiarities, were paraded under officers selected for 
the prominence of these traits, as "long noses," &c, while the lit- 
tle short men were organized into a party, and charged with the 
duty of "keeping the cats off." These follies may be considered 
puerile, but not more so .than the annual carnival in some Eu- 
ropean countries, and their record is interesting from illustrating 
the custom of the times, when athletic games were fashionable, 
and men seldom met in numbers without having "a regular train." 
The first criminal convictions in the counly, are said to have 
been those of Springsteel and Jones, who, having committed a 
burglary in Brownville, were pursued and arrested in Denmark, 
Lewis County. Not having yet had any business of this kind 
for their courts, some of the inhabitants rallied, and an attempt 
was made to detain the prisoners there for trial, but without 
success. The records of the court of oyer and terminer and 
general jail delivery commence, June 17, 1S07, at which 
Smith Thompson was present as justice, Augustus Sacket, Joshua 
Bealls, and Pet ley Keyes, judges, and Lyman Ellis, assistant 
justice. Courts continued to be held at the school house until 
the summer of 1S09, when the Court House was opened. 

An Act was passed April 18, 1815, by which all free males, of 
legal age, worth $150, in personal property, and holding a con- 
tract for lands, were made qualified to serve as jurors in several 
counties, among others, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin and 
Lewis. 

The time of meeting of the board of supervisors was by an 
Act of April 8, 1834, fixed at the Monday next after the general 
election, and the judges of the county courts were directed to 
meet them on Tuesday of the first week of their sessions, for the 
appointment of officers. 



CHAPTEft III. 

HISTORY OF LAND TITLES. 

From time immemorial, down to a few years after the close of 
the revolution, the title of lands in this section of the state, was 
shared in doubtful supremacy by savages and other denizens of 
the forest. At the earliest period of authentic history, the Iro- 
quois confederacy, and the Oneida nation in particular, were 
acknowledged to be the owners of the greater portion of our 
territory; which, accoiding to Gautinonty, a chief of the Oswe- 
gatchie tribe, extended as far north as a line running from the 
mouth of French Creek to Split Rock on Lake Champlain; while 
the Oswegatchies claimed the land north, as far down the St. 
Lawrence as Cat Island (Louisville), where a monument had 
been erected by Sir John Johnson.* The Oneidas, according to 
a map and survey by A rent Marselis, at the request of John 
Duncan, and by order of the surveyor general, claimed" from the 
* Line of Property ' reversed, and continued from the Canada 
Creek, till it comes to a certain mountain called Esoiade, or the 
Ice Mountain, under which mountain that Canada Creek, oppo- 
site to the Old Fort Hendrick, heads; from thence running 
westerly to an old fort which stood on the creek, called Weter- 
inghra Guentere, and which empties into the River St. Lawrence, 
about twelve miles below Carlton or Buck's Island, and which 
fort the Oneidas took from their enemies a long time ago; from 
thence running southerly to a rift upon the Onondaga River 
called Ogoutenagea, or Aguegonteneayea (a place remarkable 
for eels), about five miles from where the river empties out of the 
Oneyda Lake."f Marselis was doubtless the first surveyor in the 
county, and there is preserved a traverse of Hungry Bay made by 
him, in September, 1789, which began " at a monument or red 
painted post, set up by the Indians, as a division line between 
the Onendago and Oneida nation;" from which it would seem 
that the former claimed some right on the eastern shore of Lake 
Ontario. To extinguish these claims, a treaty was held at Fort 
Slanwix, October 22d, 1784, with the Six Nations, by which all 
the country, east of a line drawn from Johnson's Landing Place 
on the Lake Ontario, and keeping four miles east of the carrying 
path between that lake and Lake Erie, to the mouth of Tehose- 
roron, or Buffalo Creek, and thence south, to the north line of 
Pennsylvania, and down the Ohio, was ceded to the United 

* Special message of Gov. Lewis, Assem. Journal, 1804-5, p. 49. 

f The original survey bill and map are filed in the state engineer's office. 



Treaty with the Oneidas. 39 

States. The Oneidas were represented at this treaty by two 
chieis. This tribe, by a definite treaty held in September, 17SS, 
conveyed the greater part of their lands to the state, by the 
following instrument, the original of which is preserved in the 
secretary's office,- it is on a sheet of parchment about two feet 
square, with thirty-five seals of the parties, and appended to it 
is a string of wampum, made of six rows of cylindrical white 
and blue beads, strung upon deer ,skin cords. This belt is about 
two inches wide and nearly two feet long. 

"At a Treaty held at Fort Schuyler, formerly called Fort Stanwix, in 
the state of New York, by His Excellency George Clinton, governor of 
the said State, and Wiliam Floyd, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Richard Varick, 
SamnelJones, Egbert Benson, and Peter Gansevoort, Junior, (Commis- 
sioners, authorized for that purpose by and on behalf of the People of 
the State of New York,) with the tribe or nation of Indians, called the 
Oneidas. It is on the 22ud day of September, 1788, covenanted and 
concluded as follows. First, the Oneidas do cede and grant, all their 
lands to the people of the state of New York, forever. Secondly, of the 
said ceded lands, the following tract, to wit: Beginning at the Wood 
Creek, opposite to the mouth of the Canada Creek, and where the line 
of property comes to the said Wood Creek and runs thence southerly to 
the northwest corner of the tract, to be granted to John Francis Pearche, 
thence along the westerly bounds of the said tract to the southwest 
corner thereof, thence to the northwest corner of the tract granted to 
James Dean, thence along the westerly bounds thereof to the southwest 
corner of the last mentioned tract, thence due south until it intersects a 
due west line froir the head of the Tienadaha, or Unadilla River, thence 
from the said point of intersection due west, until the Deep Spring bears 
due north, thence due north to the Deep Spring; thence the nearest 
course to the Caneserage Creek, and thence along the said Creek, the 
Oneida Lake, and the Wood Creek, to the place of beginning, shall be 
reserved for the following uses, that is to say: The lands lying to the 
northward of a line parallel to the southern line of the said leserved 
lands and four miles distant from the said southern line, the Oneidas 
shall hold to themselves and their posterity forever, for their own use and 
Cultivation, but not to be sold, leased, or in any other maimer aliened or 
disposed of to others. The Oneidas may from time to time forever make 
leases of the lands between the said parallel line, (being the residue of 
the said reserved lands.) to such persons, and on such rents reserved as 
they shall deem proper, but no lease shall be for a longer term than 
twenty-one years from the making thereof, and no new lease shall be 
made, until the former lease of the same lands shall have expired. The 
rents shall be to the use of the Oneidas and their posterity forever. And 
the people of the state of New York shall, from time to time, make pro- 
vision by law to compel the leasees to pay the rent, and in every other 
respect enable the Oneidas and their posterity to have the full benefit of 
their right, so to make leases, and to prevent frauds on them, respecting 
the same. And the Oneidas, and their posterity forever, shall enjoy the 
free right of hunting in every part of the said ceded lands, and of fishing 
in all the waters within the same, and especially there shall forever re- 
main ungranted by the people of the state of New York, one half mile 
square at the distance of every six miies of the lands along the northern 
bounds of the Oneida Lake, one half mile in breadth of the lands on 



40 Treaty with the Oneidas. 

each side of Fish Creek,* and a convenient piece of land at the fishing 
place in the Onondago River, about three miles from where it issues out 
of the Oneida Lake, and to remain as well for the Oneidas and their 
posterity, as for the inhabitants of said state, to land and encamp on, but, 
notwithstanding any reservation to the Oneidas, the people of the state 
may erect public works and edifices as they shall think proper, at such 
place or places, at or near the confluence of Wood Creek and the Oneida 
Lake, as they shall elect, and may take or appropriate for such works or 
buildings, lands to the extent of one square mile at each place. And 
further, notwithstanding any reservation of lands to the Oneidas, for their 
own use, the New England Indians, (now settled at Brotherton, under the 
Reverend Samson Occum,) and their posterity forever, and the Stock- 
bridge Indians and their posterity forever, and to enjoy their settlements 
on the lands heretofore given to them by the Oneidas for that purpose, 
that is to say, a tract of two miles in breadth, and three miles in length, 
for the New England Indians, and a tract of six miles square, for the 
Stockbridge Indians. Thirdly, in consideration of the said cession and 
grant, the people of the state of New York do at this treaty pay to the 
Oneidas two thousand dollars in money, two thousand dollars in clothing, 
and other goods, and one thousand dollars in provisions, and also five 
hundred dollars in money, to be paid towards building a grist mill, and a 
saw mill at their village, (the receipts of which moneys, clothing, goods and 
provisions the Oneidas do now acknowledge^ and the people of the state 
of New York shall annually pay to the Oneidas, and their posterity for- 
ever, on the first day of June in every year, at Fort Schuyler, aforesaid, 
six hundred dollars in silver, hut, if the Oneidas or their posterity shall 
at any time hereafter elect, that the whole or any part of the said six 
hundred dollars shall be paid in clothing or provisions, and give six weeks 
previous notice thereof to the governor of the said state for the time 
being, then so much of the annual payment shall for that time be in 
clothing or provisions, as the Oneidas and their posterity shall elect, and 
at the price which the same shall cost the people of the state of New 
York at Fort Schuyler, aforesaid, and as a further consideration to the 
Oneidas, the people of the state of New York shall grant to the said John 
Francis Pearehe, a tract of land; Beginning in the line of property, at a 
certain cedar tree, near the road leading to Oneida, and runs from the 
said cedar tree southerly along the line of property two miles, then 
westerly at right angles to the said line of property two miles, then north- 
erly at right angles to the last course two miles, and thence to the place 
of beginning, which the said John Francis Pearehe, hath consented to 
accept from the Oneidas, in satisfaction for an injury done to him by one 
of their nation. And further the lands intended by the Oneidas for John 
T. Kirkland, and for George VV. Kirkland, being now appropriated to 
the use of the Oneidas, the people of the state of New York shall there- 
fore, by a grant of other lands, make compensation to the said John T. 
Kirkland, and George VV. Kirkland. And further, that the people of the 
state of New York shall, as a benevolence from the Oneidas to Peter 
Penet, and in return for services rendered by him to their nation, grant 
to the same Peter Penet, of the said ceded lands, lying to the northward 
of the Oneida Lake, a tract of land ten miles square, wherever he shall 

* This reservation gave rise to many apprehensions on the part of the pur- 
chasers, as it was supposed to extend into the Boylston Tract, in Lewis County. 
The author is not aware how this affair was settled. The reservation would,' 
it is said, have covered 40,000 acres, if it extended the source of that stream. 
The patent to Macomb made no reservations in this point, so that the difficulty 
lay between the state and the Indians. 



Macomb^s Purchase. 41 

elect the same. Fourthly, the people of the state of New York, may, in 
such manner as they shall deem proper, prevent any person, except the 
Oneidas, from residing or settling on the lands so to he held by the 
Oneidas and their posterity, for their own use and cultivation, and if any 
person shall, without the consent of the people of the state of New York, 
come to reside or settle on the said lands or on any other of the lands so 
ceded as aforesaid, except the lands whereof the Oneidas may make leases, 
as aforesaid, the Oneidas and their posterity shall forehwith give notice 
of such intrusions to the governor of the said state, for the time being. 
And further the Oneidas and their posterity forever, shall, at the request 
of the governor of the said state, he aiding to the people of the state of 
New York, in the removing of all such intruders, and in apprehending 
not only such intruders but also felons and ail other offenders, who may 
happen to be on the said ceded land, to the end that such intruders, 
felons and other offenders may he brought to justice. 

In testimony whereof, as well the sachems, chief warriors, and others 
of the said Oneidas, in behalf of their tribe, or nation, as the said governor 
and other commissioners of the people of the state of New York, have 
hereunto interchangeably set their hands and affixed their seals, the day 
and year first above written. 

Odaghseghte, Kanaghweaga, Peter Utsiquelte, Toyohagweanda, Shonough- 
lego, alias Anthony, Thaghniyongo, Tekeandyahkon, Olsetogou, Oneyanha, 
alias Beech Tree, Thaghtaghguisea, Gaghsaweda, Thougweaghshale, Ojis- 
talale, alias Hanquarry, Thaghneghtolis, alias Hendrick, Kanaghsalilgh, 
ThaghsivcangaMis, alias Paulus, Jlgwelentongwas, alias Domine Peter, 
Kahiektotan ; Teyoughnihalk, Komcagalot,* Joneghflishea, alias Daniel, 
Mawistonis, alias Blacksmith, Sagoyontha, Kaskonghguea, Kanaivgaltt* 
Thaniyeandagayon, Keanyoko, alias David, Hannah Sodolk,* Hononwayele.* 

George Clinton, PUcWd Varick, Peter Gansevoort Jr., Win. Floyd, Samuel 
Jones, Skenondonga, Ezra UHommedieu, Egbert Benson. 

At a treaty held at Kon-on-daigua, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1794, the United 
States confirmed this treaty of the Oneidas. 

The office oiLand Commissioners was created in 17S6, and they 
were clothed with discretionary powers in selling the unappro- 
priated lands of the state. The manner in which they exercised 
this trust has been made the subject of severe censure. On the 
22d of June, 1791, Alexander Macomb, of the city of New York, 
acting as the agent of a company said to consist of himself, 
D niel McCormick, and Wm. Constable, all of New York, ap- 
plied for the purchase of a tract of land since known as Macomb's 
Purchase.! embracing the greater part of Franklin, the whole 
of St. Lawrence, excepting the " ten towns" and Massena, the 
whole of Jefferson (excepting Penet's square and Tibbet's Point), 
the whole of Lewis, and a part of Oswego counties. This pro- 
position included the islands in Lake Ontario and the St. Law- 
rence, fronting the tract, and excepted five per cent for roads, 
and all lakes of greater area than 1000 acres. The proposed 
price was eight pence per acre. One sixth part was payable in 

* Women. 

t Full details of this purchase, with a copy of his applications may be found 
in the Hist, of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. 252, et seq. 

4 



42 Penefs Patent. 

one year, and the residue in five equal annual instalments. If 
one-sixth were secured by satisfactory bonds, and paid, and 
another sixth in like manner secured, Macomb was to receive a 
patent for a sixth part, in a square, in one of the corners of the 
tract, and the same rule was to be observed throughout, until the 
whole was paid. Carlton, or Buck's Island, and the Long 
Sault Island, were expressly reserved to the state. This pro- 
position was accepted, and the surveyor-general was directed to 
survey the tract at the expense of Macomb. On the 10th of 
January, 1792, he reported that the conditions had been com- 
plied with, and on that day a patent* was issued to Macomb, for 
i,920,000 acres, reseserving 800 acres to be located by the sur- 
veyor-general.f This included the whole of the tract not in the 
present counties of Franklin and St. Lawrence, an uncertainty 
existing in relation to the islands in the St. Lawrence, these were 
patented after the national boundary had been determined, and to 
other parties. The reservation stipulated to Penet, was confirmed 
by the following proceedings of the land commissioners. 

" At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Land Office of the 
state of New York, held at the secretary's office in the city of 
New York on Saturday the 8th day of August, 1789. Present, 
His Excellency, George Clinton, Esquire, Governor, Lewis A. 
Scott, Esquire, ^Secretary, Richard Varick, Esquire, Attorney 
General, and Gerardus Bancker, Treasurer. 

Resolved, That the surveyor-general be directed to lay out for 
Peter Penet, and at his expense, the lands ceded by the Oneida 
Nation to the people of this state, by their deed of cession dated 
the 22d day of September last, lying to the northward of Oneida 
Lake, a tract of ten miles square, wherever he shall elect the 
same; and further, that he lay out for John Francis Pearche, and 
at his expense, a tract of land stipulated by the said deed of 
cession to be granted to him," &c, referring to a tract two 
miles square in Oneida county. — Land Office Minutes, Vol. 2, 
p. 56. 

On the 19th of Nov. 1789, the following action was taken: 
" The Surveyor-General, agreeable to an order of this board, of 
the 8th of August last, having made a return of survey for Peter 
Penet, of a tract of ten miles square, as elected by John Duncan, 
his agent (of the lands ceded by the Oneida Nation of Indians to 
the people of this state, by their deed of cession, dated the 22d 
day of Sept. 1788), lying to the northward of Oneida Lake, as by 

* Sec. Office Patents, b 23, p. 160. 

\ This was selected on Tibbet's Point in Cape Vincent, at the outlet of the 
lake, which was patented to Capt. John Tibbets of Troy, and never formed 
a part of Macomb's Purchase. It embraced but 600 acres, as surveyed by John 
Campbell in the fall of 1799. 



Titles of Penet Square. 43 

the said return of survey filed in the secretary's office, will more 
fully appear. And the said John Duncan, having as agent as afore- 
said, made application to the board for letters patent for the same, 
Resolved, therefore, that the Secretary do prepare letters patent, 
to the said Peter Penet, for the said tract of ten miles square, 
accordingly, and lay them before the board for their approba- 
tion. — Land Office Minutes, vol. 2, p. 80. 

Peter Penet, by an instrument dated January 23, 1729,* made 
John Duncan his attorney, and the latter received, November 
19th, 1789, a patent,! for a tract ten miles square, which on the 
13th of July, 1790, he convey edj for the nominal sum of five 
shillings to James Watson, and James Greenleaf of New York. 
February 26, 1795, Watson released^ to Greenleaf his half of 
the tract for j£1000; the latter having, September 4th, 1797, 
conveyed by deed the 64,000 acres to Simon Desjardines|| for 
£19,400. 

Desjardines conveyed to Nicholas Olive of New York, Jan- 
uary 29th, 1796,11 and the latter to Herman LeRoy, William 
Bayard, and James Mc Evers, 44,000 acres of this tract,** in 
trust as joint tenants for certain heirs, of whom Mallett Prevost, 
was entitled to 8,000 acres; John Lewis Grenus to 12,000 acres; 
Henry Finguerlin, Jr., 8,000 acres. At the time of this 
conveyance Olive held these lands in trust, and 16,000 acres 
in his own right. A deed of partition between the proprietors 
was executed May 17th, lS02,ff according to a division by bal- 
lot, as follows: N. Olive 16,000; J. L. Grenus 1,200; H. Fin- 
guerlin, Jr., 8,000; A. M. Prevost 8,000 acres, making 44,000 
acres, which with 8,000 to Louis Le Guen, and 12,000 to John 
Wilkes previously conveyed -by 01ive,|| made 64,000 acres on 
the whole tract. After the deed of partition, and on the 11th 
of June, 1802, the proprietors released to one another the quan- 
tity allotted to each, as follows: John Wilkes and Louis Le 
Guen, to Le Roy, Bayard, and McEvers, of 44,000 acres; L., 
B., & M., and Louis Le Guen, to John Wilkes of 12,000; and 
L., B., & M.> and J. Wilkes to L. Le Guen of 8,000 acres.§§ 

Nicholas Olive, in his will, made his wife and Henry Cheriot 
his executors, and his widow afterwards married Simon Louis 
Pierre, Marquis de Cubieres of Paris, who with his wife did, 
May 9th, 1818, appoint L., B., and M to convey to Provost 
Grenus and Finguerlin, their several shares. The latter, May 

* Sec. office deeds 22. p. 277. || Sec. office deeds 38, p. 344. 
tlb. patents 21, p. 407. fib. deeds 38, p. 352. 

J Not recorded. **Ib. deeds 33, p. 165. 

$ Sec. office deeds 38, p. 350. ft Jeff. Co., deeds rec. Dec. 14th, 1824. 

tt Olive conveyed, Oct. 15th, 1S00, 8,000 acres to Henry Cheriot (sec. deeds 
38, p. 347), and C. to John Wilkes the same, Oct. 16th, 1800 (ib. p. 432). 
$$ Jefferson Co. deeds, rec. June ISth, 1825. 



44 Macomb's Purchase. 

20th, 1817,* directed L., B., & M. to convey to Joseph Russell 
and John La Farge. Le Roy and Bayard deeded to John, 
Henry, and Edmund Wilkes, 16,000 acres September 23d, 
18l8,f and the latter 1o John La Farge, April 14th, 1823,f 
having received May 9th, 1818, from the Marquis de Cubieres, 
and wife, a power of attorneyt for the purpose. Le Roy and 
Bayard conveyed 12,000 acres Nov. 23d, 1818, and§ to Russell 
and La Farge 8,000 acres Sep. 23d, 1818.§ Joseph Russell 
released his half of these 8,000 acres Dec. 12th, 181S.§ John 
Wilkes to Charles Wilkes Jan. 1st, 18]8,|| sold 8,000 acres, and 
the latter the same to La Farge June 3d, 1825.|| By these con- 
veyances Mr. La Farge became the owner of the greater part 
of Penet Square; but he allowed the lands to be sold for taxes, 
and his claims were subsequently confirmed by a comptroller's 
deed, from Wm. L. Marcy, May 13th, 1828. 

On the 23d of Nov., 1819, Francis Depau bought fifteen 
Jots (21 to 25, 41 to 45, 56 to 60), for $12,000,lf excepting 
parts sold to Samuel Ruggles. In our account of Orleans, will 
be given a detail of the irregularities growing out of occupation 
without title, and the conflicting claims which continued many 
years, and produced much difficulty. 

The whole of Macomb's contract was estimated to contain, 
after deducting five per cent., 3,670,715 acres, and was divided 
into five tracts. Tract No. I contained 821,819 acres, and is 
wholly in Franklin County. No. II embraced 553,020 acres, or 
the present towns of Parishville, Colton, Hopkinton, Lawrence, 
Brasher, and a small part of Massena, in St. Lawrence County. 
No. Ill, the remainder of St. Lawrence County south and west 
of the ten towns, or 458,222 acres. No. IV contained 450,950 
acres in Jefferson County, it being, with the exception of Penet's 
Square and Tibbet's Point, all of that county north of a line 
drawn from the southwest corner of St. Lawrence County, north 
87° west, to Lake Ontario. No. V (26,250 acres) and No. VI 
(74,400 acres) formed the rest of the purchase; the division line 
between which numbers was never surveyed. Soon after per- 
fecting his title to a portion of his tract, Macomb employed 
William Constable (who is said to have been with Daniel 
McCormick the principal proprietor) as his agent to sell lands 
in Europe; and, on the 6th of June, 1792, he released, and 
October 3d, 1792, conveyed to him the whole of tracts IV, V, 
and VI, for j650,000.** Macomb had become involved in specu- 

* Jeff, deeds N. 477. $ lb. rec. Oct. 5, 1819, 

tlb. deeds, rec. June 23d, 1821. || Jeff. Co. rec. June 18, 1825. 

Jib. rec. Oct. 23d, 1818. f Jeff Co. deeds, N. 605. 

** Secretary's Office, Deeds 24, pp. 300 and 332, August 2, 1792. 



The Chassanis Purchase. 45 

lations, by which he lost his property, and was lodged in jail;* 
and his name does not subsequently appear in the transfers of 
land. He had be^n a fur trader in Detroit, afterwards became 
a merchant and capitalist in New York, and was the father of 
the late General Macomb of the war of 1812. 

The first direct measure taken for the actual settlement of the 
^section of the state embraced in Jefferson County, was in 1792. 
On the 31st of August, William Constable, then in Europe, 
executed a deed to Peter Chassanis, of Paris, for 630,000 acres 
south of Great Lot No. IV, which now constitutes a part of 
Jefferson and Lewis Counties. A tract in Leyden, previously 
conveyed to Patrick Colquhoun and William Inman, was 
excepted. Chassanis acted as the "agent for the associated pur- 
chasers of lands in Montgomery County ," and the lands were to 
be by him held in trust for the use of the said William Constable, 
and disposed of by sections of one hundred acres each, at the rate 
of eight livres Tournoisf per acre; in which said conveyance it 
is declared, that the said Chassanis should account for the pro- 
ceeds of the sales to Constable, according to the terms of an 
agreement between them, excepting one-tenth thereof. The 
state reservations for roads, &c, were stipulated. A deed for 
625,000 acres having been made from Constable to Chassanis, 
and delivered as an escrow to Rene Lambot, to take effect on the 
payment of .£52,000, it was agreed that the price for this land 
should be one shilling per acre. Constable bound himself to 
procure a perfect title, to be authenticated and deposited with 
the Consul General of France, in Philadelphia; and Chassanis 
agreed that the moneys received by Lambot should be remitted 
to Ransom, Moreland & Hammersley, in London, as received, 
subject to Constable's order, on presenting the certificate of 
Charles Texier, Consul, of his having procured a clear title. 
If the sales shall not have amounted to £62,750, the balance 
should be paid in six, nine, and twelve months, in bills upon 
London. Constable granted, for one month, the right of pre- 
emption to Tract No. IV, at the rate of one shilling sterling, 
payable in three, six, and nine months from the date of the deed, 
as above. 

The plan of the association contemplated by this company is 
set forth in the following document, which we translate from an 
original copy printed in Paris in 1792, in the possession of Hon. 
Wm. C. Pierrepont, who has kindly permitted it to be used for 
this work. 'It is very probable that the stormy period of the 
French revolution that soon followed prevented its execution: 

* See History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Countiea, p. 242. 
t Equal to $1/50. 



46 The Nev) York or Chassanis Company. 

" Ass ocixrwy for the purchase and settlement of 600,000 acres of land, 
granted by the State of JVew York, and situated within that state betiveen the 
43c? deg. and -11th deg. of latitude, upon Lake Ontario, and 35 leagues from 
the city and port of Albany, where vessels land from Europe. 

Many details suggested by the consideration of the internal and ex- 
ternal advantages of this vast and rich domain, of which we have direct 
knowledge, has led to a plan of developing its resources, and of present- 
ing the speculation to Europeans. It is to be noticed that this tract pre- 
sents in its fertility, all the wealth of agriculture; by the line distribution 
of its waters, the facilities for an extended commerce; by its location in 
the immediate vicinity of a dense population, security to its inhabitants; 
and by the laws of a people independent and rich with their own capital, 
all the benefits of liberty without its drawbacks. These incontestible 
facts, developed without art, and declared in a public notice, may be 
easily proved by simple inspection of the geography, and a general 
acqaintance of the state of New York. Believing that the value of this 
vast domain would be enhanced by the activity of cultivation and settle- 
ment, the proprietors have united in attempting the formation of a family, 
in some way united by common interests and common wants; and to 
promote the success of this measure, they here offer an account of the 
origin, and plan of their association. To maintain this essential unity of 
interests, the projectors have devised a plan that renders each member 
directly interested in the property, and require that a division shall be 
made by lot, that shall give at once a title to fifty acres individually, and 
to fifty in a portion that shall remain common and undivided until a fixed 
period ; and that these subdivisions may operate in a ready and economical 
manner, they have adopted a form of certificate [forme d 1 Action], to the 
bearer, as best combining the desired features, and advantages of being 
evidences of the first title of purchase, and the undivided portion, and of 
partaking of the nature of an authentic title. In consequence, they have 
purchased this estate, and agreed that it should be done in the name of 
Sieur Chassanis, in whom they have united their confidence, and whom 
they have authorized to sign the certificates. He is to receive the funds 
to be credited to each, as titles of property, and furnish declarations to 
those who desired. Subsequent to the purchase, the parties interested 
have established the following rules, which shall be the common law of 
the holders of certificates, as inseparable from the title resulting. These 
rules are divided into two sections, the one including the articles essen- 
tial to title, and the unalterable law of the proprietors, the other embracing 
the provisional rules and regulations of the common interest.. 

Section I. Article 1. The 600,000 acres of land which Peter Chassanis 
has purchased of Win. Constable (in which are reserved five acres in each 
100), shall be subdivided into 6000 portions, including the fractional por- 
tions. 

Art. 2. A direct title shall be given upon application by the holders of 
certificates, in their own name. 

Art. 3. These certificates shall be of the following form: 

Title of the associaion of the New York company, in the purchase of 600,000 
acres of land in Montgomery county, Slate of .Yew York: 

"The bearer of this certificate has paid the sum of eight hundred hvres 
" which renders him the owner of a hundred acres in six hundred thou- 
sand acres which have been sold to us as representatives of the corn- 
"pany of Proprietors [Companie des Actionnaires], according to the pre- 
•'sent contract, which requires us to pass the necessary titles of this por- 
''tion of the estate, in favor of the holder of this certificate, whenever he 
" may wish to receive it in his own name. The present certificate is for 



The New York or Chassanis Company. 47 

" an integral part, and a fraction of the purchase above mentioned, hy 
" virtue of which, the bearer is entitled to all the rights of this association, 
"of which the articles and rules are fixed by the terms of agreement 
" annexed to this common title. 

"This certificate bears the number . In evidence of which it 

" has been signed by myself, countersigned by the commissaries of the 
" company, and inspected by M. Lambot, notary."' 

Paris, this of " 

These shall remain deposited in the hands of M. Lambot, Notary at 
Paris, who shall make the distribution after the inspection and signature, 
of which we shall speak hereafter. The price of a certificate, shall remain 
fixed at 800 livres, which shall be paid into the hands of M. Lambot. Of 
this sum one tenth part shall be placed at the disposal of the trustees, to 
defray the expenses of the concern, such as purchasing of tools, materials, 
provisions, the opening of roads, necessary fixtures, surveys, and explora- 
tions. The nine other tenths, shall belong to the seller, who shall convey, 
after the transfer has been duly made by Win, Constable iu America, a title 
with all the formalities required by the usages of the country. This remit- 
tance shall be made by the depository, directing the sums received to 
Messrs. Ransom, Moreland & Hammersley, bankers in London, in drafts 
upon that city ; which shall be sent as received, without waiting the return 
of titles, but till that time that the said Wm. Constable shall not draw 
from the hands of the said bankers in London. 

Art. 5. The 600,000 acres shall be divided into 12,000 lots of 50 acres 
each, of which six thousand shall be divided, and set apart in the begin- 
ning, for individual properties, and six other thousand shall belong to the 
company, who shall ultimately take measures for increasing its value, 
and for a divison after the manner hereinafter mentioned. 

Art. 6. Each holder of certificates shall have one separate lot, and one 
in common and undivided stock. 

Art. 7. The 30.000 acres additional, resulting from the reservations in 
the above tract, shall be divided as follows: two thousand acres in the 
formation of a city, in the interior of the tract, on the banks of the great 
river that traverses the concession, 2000. 

Two thousand acres besides, to the founding of a second city, upon 
the banks of Lake Ontario, at the mouth of the river upon which the first 
city shall be built to serve for a port and entrepot of commerce.. . 2000. 

Six thousand acres shall be divided among artisans, who shall be dis- 
tributed in the settlements, such as masons, carpenters, locksmiths, and 
joiners, to be charged to them after seven years, by paying a rent of 
twelve sous per acre 6000. 

The twenty thousand acres remaining shall be expended iu the con- 
struction of roads and bridges, or disposed of as the society may 
direct 20,000. 

Art. 8. The location of the two cities shall be divided into 14000 lots, 
of which 2000 shall be reserved for markets, and edifices, such as 
churches, schools, and other public establishments, and for poor artisans, 
who shall be desirous of locating there. The 12,000 remaining lots shall 
be divided into two classes, the one of separate and the other of undivided 
ownership. One lot of each class shall belong to each owner of certificates. 

Art. 9. The choice of divided lots, in the country as well as in the 
cities, shall belong to the holders of certificates, in the order of the dates 
of the presentation of their titles, by themselves or their authorized 
agents to the trustees of the company. 

Art. 10. The trustees of the company shall make upon the spot, before 
the term of seven years, a report of the property remaining in common , 



48 . The New York or Chassanis Company. 

and its condition; of the improvements of which it is susceptihle, and 
an estimate of its value. Alter this report there shall be made a division 
into G000 lots, which shall be designated on a plan. The trustees shall 
advertise three months in advance of drawing, which shall be d6ne in a 
general assembly, by those only who shall have declared a fortnight 
before the drawing, that they wished to take part in the same. Those 
who do not make this declaration, shall be deemed to have chosen the 
continuation and non-division of the common property. 

Art. 11. The holders of certificates, who remain in common, shall 
regulate in a general assembly their particular interests, as well for the 
care of lands which remain with them as for selling them, as they may 
decide. 

Art. 12. After the drawing, the society shall no longer exist, except 
among such as do not take part in it; the certificates shall be furnished to 
those entitled, containing a title and adjudication of their lots. 

Art. 13. The affairs of the company shall be managed by trustees, 
living in Paris, three in number, and by at least two other trustees, resi- 
ding upon the tract. These different trustees shall be in regular corre- 
spondence, and shall be chosen by an absolute majority of the general 
assembly. These meetings shall be held in Paris, and every owner may 
attend and assist by himself or by proxy. Each share shall entitle to 
one vote, yet no person shall have more than five votes, whatever the 
number of shares he may possess. 

Art. 14. All the articles aforesaid, are essential to the existence of 
certificates, and can he modified only in a general assembly, convened 
ad hoc. and by a majority of two thirds. 

Section \i. Government. Article 1. Within one month, there shall 
be held a meeting of the subscribers, at the rooms of the said Sieur 
Chassanis, at Paris, No. 20, Rue de la Jussieune, for the election of trustees. 

Art. 2. The trustees, residing in Paris, shall have the charge of proving 
the certificates, with the depository, and of personally examining each, 
to guard againit errors; the notary shall also compare them as received, 
and paid, after which they shall be signed by the said Sieur Chassanis, 
to be delivered to the shareholders. Consequently no certificate shall 
be issued until after these inspections and signatures, and the subscribers 
shall in the mean time only receive a provisional receipt of deposit. 

Art. 3. To guard against all errors in distribution, the certificates shall 
be registered by their numbers, by Sieur Chassanis,. upon their present- 
ation by the holders, and the record kept in his office, and without this 
entry, of which notice shall be written upon the certificate by the said 
Sieur Chassanis, or by the one whom the trustees shall appoint for the 
purpose, no holder of certificates shall be admitted to the meetings, nor 
have right to take his chance in the selection of his location. 

Art. 4. The trustees, designated for removal to America, shall be the 
bearers of the instructions, and of the general powers of the assembly ; 
shall survey the land, decide upon the location of the two cities, and 
there prepare for the company, within three months from their arrival, a 
report of their examinations and labors, with a detailed plan of the com- 
mon property. 

Art. 5. trustees shall be chosen from among the holders of certificates^ 

Art. 6. The trustees shall decide the location of the fifty acres which 
shall belong originally to each certificate, alter which the holders shall 
have the right of choice. 

Art. 7. The locations shall be marked upon two registers, in the hands 
of the trustees in America, who shall retain one and transmit the other 
annually to the general assembly in France. 



Chassanis Tract — Surveys. 49 

Art. 8. The titles directed to be delivered to the holders of certificates, 
who make known their wish, shall contain a declaration by Sieur Chas- 
sanis, that in his general purchase, there belongs a certain portion to *** 
as his own, in accordance with a common title, and a social regulation 
of which he is a party; this declaration shall bear the number of the 
certificate, which shall remain attached, under pain of forfeiture of the 
action, even though the certificate had been previously canceled, and this 
title shall not be complete till after the registration of the trustees to 
whom it shall be presented. 

Art. 9. The trustees in America, shall be clothed with a similar power 
by Sieur Chassanis, for granting like titles to those who require it. This 
power shall be granted after a model of the declaration, for the purpose 
of securing uniformity of registry. 

Art. 10. All decisions and acts of the company done in France, as 
relates to trustees, have no need of public formality when they are legal- 
ized by the minister or other public functionary of the United States, 
residing in France. 

Art. 11. There shall be delivered, upon demand, a duplicate of title to 
the holders of certificates, containing a copy of the original, and in it 
shall be mentioned that it is a duplicate." 

The agreement of Constable and Chassanis, of August 30, 
1792, was canceled, and the tract reconveyed March 25, 1793, 
-in consequence of the amount falling short, upon survey, far be- 
yond the expectation of all parties. On the 12th of April, ]793, 
Constable conveyed 210,000 acres, by deed, for <£25,000, to 
Chassanis,* since known as The Chassanis Tract, Castorland, 
or The French Company^ Land, bounded north by No. IV of 
Macomb's Purchase, south and west by Black River, and east by 
a line running north, nine miles, from a point near the High 
Falls, and thence northeasterly on such a course as might include 
210,000 acres. 

On the 11th of April, 1797, Chassanis appointed Rodolph 
Tillier, "member of the sovereign counsel of Berne," his attorney, 
"to direct and administer the properties and affairs concerning Cas- 
torland, to follow all which relates to the surveying and subdividing 
of this domain, as well as to its improvement, clearing, and 
amelioration; to make the useful establishments; make all bar- 
gains with settlers, artists, and workmen; make all payments 
and receipts; give and take receipts; pass all title of property, 
. to the profit of those who will have acquired lands forming part 
of Castorland; to put, or have them put in possession of the said 
lands; sell of these lands to the amount of ten thousand acres, 
either paid down for, or on credit, but in small parcels of a hun- 
dred or two hundred acres at most." In case of death, Nicholas 
Olive was to succeed him. On the 18th of February, 1797, a 
new agreement was made between Constable and Tillier, con- 
veying the Castorland tract to Chassanis, after the survey of 
William Cockburn & Son, of Poughkeepsie, in 1799, and giving 

* Oneida Deeds, 3, 56. 



50 Surveys — Incident. 

with greater detail the bounds of the tract. The former convey- 
ances made the north and east bank of the river the boundary, 
but in this the centre of the channel was agreed upon.* On the 
6th of March, 1800, Constable deeded to Chassanis, for one dol- 
lar, a tract of 30,000 acres in the eastern corner of Tract No. 
IV, which was afterwards subdivided into twenty-seven lots, and 
conveyed to James Le Ray.f Cockburn's survey divided the 
purchase into six very unequal tracts, formed by the intersec- 
tion of the principal lines and the river. The tract was subdi- 
vided by Charles C. Brodhead and assistants, in 1794. John 
Cantine, Philip R. Freys, Peter Pharoux, and Benoni Newman, 
were among his surveyors. In dividing the tract, the line run- 
ning north from the High Falls was assumed as the cardinal line, 
from which ranges were counted east and west. An east and 
west line, crossing the other nine miles from the Falls, Was fixed 
as a second cardinal, from which ranges were reckoned north and 
south. The ranges extended to nineteen east, fifty-one west, 
twenty-seven north, and about nine south; and the lots included 
450 acres each, except those on the margin. These were again 
subdivided into nine square lots, of fifty acres each, which were 
numbered from 1 to 4,828. This system of numbering has since 
been observed in designating the location of lands. 

Mr. Brodhead was a native of Pennsylvania, and had held the 
rank of captain in the Revolution. He was employed by Tillier, 
through the influence of Edward Livingston and Dr. Oliver, and 
while performing the survey, encountered many hardships. An 
obituary notice published soon after his death, which occurred 
within the last year, at Utica, contains the following: 

" In running the great lines of division his party had crossed the Black 
River several times, the men and instruments being ferried across. On 
one occasion when they had approached the river, having journeyed 
through the woods without noting their route by the compass, they arrived 
at a part of the bank which they recognized, and knew to be a safe place 
of passing. Making a raft of logs, they started from the bank, and began 
to pole across. When in the midst of the current their poles failed to 
reach the bottom, and simultaneous with this discovery, the noise of the 
waters below them revealed the horrid fact that they had mistaken their 
ferrying place, and were at the head and rapidly approaching the Great 
Falls of the river, the passage of which threatened all but certain death. 
Instantly Mr. B. ordered every man who could swim to make for the 
shore, and he prepared to swim for his own life. But the piteus appeals 
of Mr. Pharoux, a young Frenchmaan, of the party, who could not swim, 
arrested him, and he determined to remain with him to assist him, if 
possible in the awful passage of the falls. Hastily directing his men to 
grasp firmly to the logs of the raft, giving similar directions to Mr. Pha- 
roux, he then laid himself down by the side of his friend. The raft 
passed the dreadful falls and was dashed to pieces. Mr. Pharoux with 

* Oneida Deeds, 4, 279. f Oneida Deeds, Q, p. 524. 



Original Surveys. 51 

several of the whites and Indians was drowned, and Mr. Brodhead him- 
self thrown into an eddy near the shore, whence he was drawn senseless 
by an Indian of the party."* 

The surveyors were in their instructions directed to note " all 
kinds of timber, wild meadows, useful plants, wild fruit trees, 
hills, swamps, creeks and objects of interest generally." The 
south line of Tract No. IV, was run by John Campbell and others, 
in August, 1794. At a very early period, a settlement was begun 
by Tillier and others near the High Falls, east of the river, and 
several families were settled. Several extensive sales were made 
by Chassanis, and Tillier to Frenchmen of the better class, who 
had held properly and titles in France before the revolution. 
Desjardine & Co. bought 3002 acres on Point Peninsula; Odier 
& Bousquet, 1500 acres on Pillar Point; Nicholas Olive (Dec. 
17, 1207f) a tract of 4050 acres north of Black River and Bay; 
Henry Boutin, 1000 acres around the present village of Carthage;! 
C. C. Brodhead, 400 acres in the presnt town of Wilna,§ and 
others. Among these were a conveyance dated March 31, 1801, 
of 1,817 half acres in scattered lots to twenty or thirty French 
people, || many of them widows of persons who had acquired an 
interest in the New York Company. On the 1st of May, 1798, 
James Le Ray purchased 10,000 acres in Cortland,1T and Feb. 
15, 1801, all his lands not previously sold.** Chassanis in his 
early sales had reserved about 600 acres (R. 26 W. 24 and 25 N.). 
between the present villages of Brownville and Dexter, for the 
City of Basle. The appendix of a workff printed in Paris in 
1801, contains a letter relating to this company which must have 
been written by one familiar with the country. The work from 
which we translate, purports to have been made from an English 
manuscript cast ashore on the coast of Denmark from the wreck 
of the ship Morning Star, and from its romantic style it scarcely 
merits notice in history. The letter is dated Sept. 4, 1800, and 
is as follows; 

* The body of this young man was afterwards found on a small island at the 
mouth of the river to which his name was given. Mr. J. Le Ray caused 
to be prepared a marble tablet to be inserted in the rocks here, with the follow- 
ing inscription: 

"To the memory of PETER PHAROUX, this Island is Consecrated." 

t For 1,780-49. Ranges N. 27, W. 42, 43, and part of 44, since called the 
Olive Tract. Sec. Office Rec, July 16, 1S13, C. to Tillier. 

t April 2, 1798, 500 acres for £1000, and Dec. 18 1798, 500 acres. Oneida 
Deeds, A. 2, p. 132. 

§ lb. Deeds A. p. 10, sold Oct. 26, 1797. 

|| Oneida Deeds, 11, 233. 

lib. Deeds F. 249. 

** Jeff. Deeds C. p. 378. 

tt Voyage dans la haute Pennsylvanie, et dans l'etat de New York, par un 
membre adoptif de la nation Oneida. Traduit et publie par l'auteur. des 
Lettres d'un Cultivateur Americain, 3 vols. ]2mo. 



52 Account of the French Settlement. 

" This northern part of the state of New York, which contains the 
three great districts, known as Richland, Katarkouy, and Castorland, 
is bounded on the north by the River St. Lawrence, on the west by the 
Ontario, on the east by the counties of Washington and Clinton, and 
Lake Champlain, and on the south by the new cantons of Oswego, Onon- 
daga, and Herkimer, is traversed nearly its entire length by Black River, 
which has 45 to 50 miles of navigation to its falls, situated a short dis- 
tance from its mouth, in the bay of Niahoure, on Lake Ontario. This 
river receives in its course many considerable streams and creeks, 
abounding in hydraulic privileges. This region is very favorably situated 
for access. On the one side it communicates with Canada by the St. 
Lawrence, with the English establishment upon the right bank of the 
river, as well as those from Kingston, in the bay of Katarokouy, on the 
other with Lake Ontario, by the bays of Niahoure, and Cat Fish, and 
lastly with the Mohawk Country, by a route just opened by Richland, 
Rome, and Castorville. They have surveyed another from the chief place, 
(Castorville ?) the first navigable waters of the Oswegatchee, at the con- 
fluence of which with the St. Lawrence, Major Ford has founded a 
considerable establishment. Long Lake, the waters of which are nearly 
parallel with the Great River, offers another rouce to those who wish to 
go to Ford'sbourg and Lower Canada. With the exception of the mount- 
ains, the soil is deep and fertile, as may be judged by the height and 
variety of the trees that compose the forest. The country, which borders 
the river from our Katarakouy to the line which separates us from Canada, 
(the 45th parallel) abounds in oak, a timber the more precious, as it is 
rare and valuable at Montreal and Quebec. In other sections we see a 
mixture of elms, button wood, sugar maple, butternut, hickory, beech, 
water ash, and basswood. We also find hemlock, white pine, and different 
kinds of spruce, wild cherry, and re«r,and white cedar. From the boughs 
of the spruce is made that beer so praised by Capt. Cook, and known to be 
the best of anti scorbutics. The sugar maple is so common in some 
sections as to form a third of the trees. Not only do we derive from 
thence all the sugar we need, but vinegar also of an excellent quality. 
As is the case in all northern countries this is fdled with woody marshes 
and natural meadows, in which pasturage is had in summer, and forage 
for winter. We find in many places limestone, clay, and ore of iron, 
very ductile, but we are still too young to think of building a furnace or 
large forges. It will not be so in ten years; it is probable we shall then 
be in a condition to furnish to the inhabitants of Upper Canada, who, not 
having contracts to assure them the possession of their lands, can not 
think of engaging in such enterprises. We already begin to cultivate 
corn, wheat flax, and even hemp, since it had been observed to what 
height it grows on land, formerly flowed by beaver dams; but it being 
only the fourth year of our settlement, the details of our progress can not 
be very interesting. ' 

An event, as unfortunate as unexpected, has much hindered the pros- 
perity of this colony. The death of a young man of much talent, whom 
the Castorland Company had sent from Paris, to render a wild and 
hitherto unknown country fit to favor the reunion of a new born society, 
to divide the lauds, open roads, begin the first labors, built bridges ami 
mills, and invent machines, where man is so rare. A \ictim of his zeal, 
in taking the level of a bend of the river, he perished in trying to cross 
above the great falls. His comrades, so unfortunate as not to be able to 
assist him, have collected the details of this disastrous event in a paper, 
which 1 have been unable to read without emotions, and which I send. 

Our rivers abound in fish, and our brooks in trout. I have seen two 



Account of the French Settlement. 53 

men take 72 in a day. Of all the colonies of beavers, which inhabited 
this country and raised so many dams, only a few scattering families 
remain. We have destroyed these communities, images of happiness, 
in whose midst reigned the most perfect order, peace, and wisdom, fore- 
sight and industry. Wolves, more cunning and warlike than the former, 
live at our expense and as yet escape our deadly lead. It is the same with 
the original elk. It is only seen in this part of the state, for our hunters 
will soon make it disappear, for, you know, that, wherever man esta- 
blishes himself, this tyrant must reign alone. Among the birds we have 
the pheasant, drumming partridge, wild pigeon, different kinds of ducks, 
gf-ese, and wild turkey, &c. Our chief place, situated on the banks of the 
pretty Beaver River, and from thence so appropriately named Caslorville, 
begins to grow. It is still only, as you may justly think, but a cluster of 
primitive dwellings, but still it contains several families of mechanics, of 
which new colonies have so frequent need. Several stores, situated in 
favorable places, begin to have business. The Canadians, on the right, 
bank of the river, come thither to buy the goods which they need, as 
well as sugar and rum, which, from the duties being less at our ports 
than at Quebec, are cheaper with us than with them. The vicinity of 
these French settlements are very useful to us, in many respects. Cattle 
are cheaper than with us, as well as manual labor. Such are the causes 
of communication between the inhabitants of the two sides, that it is 
impossible for the English government to prevent it. 

Our colonists are, like others, a mixture of many nations; we have 
some families of Scotch and Irish, but the greater number come from 
the northern states, which, as you know, is the "qfficina humani generis''' 
of this continent. Many of the settlers have already made considerable 
improvements. One of these families from Philadelphia, besides a hun- 
dred acres well enclosed, has begun a manufacture of potash, where the 
ashes of the neighborhood are leached; another of the Quaker sect lias 
settled on Ihe route to Kingston, where he has already built a saw mill, 
and a considerable manufactory of maple sugar, where he made last year 
about 16 quintals. The head of this family is a model of intelligence 
and industry; the goods which he brought, easily procured him much 
labor at a good rate. He paid twelve dollars per acre for clearing his 
lands and half the ashes;* besides this he furnished to the potash 
makers the great iron chaldrons and hand labor, and retains half of the 
salts, the value of which, with the first crop of wheat, pays and more 
all the expenses of clearing, fencing, and harvesting. The average yield 
per acre, being 24 to 28 bushels, and the price of wheat 6 to 8 shillings, 
it is easy to see that there is still a margin to cover accidents, and that 
the second crop is clear profit. Among these families we have some, 
who, driven from their country, by fear and tyranny, have sought in this 
an asylum of peace and liberty, rather than wealth, and at least of security 
and of sweet repose. One of these, established on the banks of Rose 
Creek, came from St. Domingo, where he owned a considerable plantation, 
and has evinced a degree of perseverance, worthy of admiration. One 
of the proprietors! has a daughter, as interesting by her figure as by her 
industry, who adds at the same time to the economy of the household, 
the charms or rather the happiness of their life. Another yet is an officer, 
of cultivated mind, sprightly, and origin; who, boru in the burning 
climate of India, here his health is strengthened. He superintends the 

* An acre commonly yields 200 bushels of ashes, which are worth 8 cents 
the bushel. 

t St. Mitchel' His daughter married Marselle, and afterwards De Zotelle. 



54 Account of the French Settlement. 

clearing of a tract of 1200 acres, which two sisters, French ladies, have 
entrusted to him, and to which he has given the name of Sister's Grove. 
He has already cleared more than 100 acres, erected a durable house, 
and enclosed a garden, in which he labors with assiduity, truly edifying. 
He has two Canadians, of whom their ancestors were originally from the 
same province with himself. Far from his country, the most trifling 
events become at times a cause of fellow feeling, of which those who 
have never felt it, can have no idea. As for cattle, those raised that only 
bring $9 a pair, at the end of the year, are worth $70 when they are four 
years old. Fat cattle, which commonly weigh 7 to 900 lbs., sell at therate 
of $5 per hundred. Swine living almost always in the woods, the settler 
can have as many as he can fatten in the fall. It should not be omitted 
to give them from time to time an ear of corn each, to attach them to the 
clearing, and prevent them from becoming wild, for then there is no 
mastering their wills, for they pining for their wandering life will not 
fatten on whatever is given them. Butter is as dear with us as in old 
settled countries, and sells for a shilling a pound. We have no fear, 
as some think, that the vicinity of the Canadian establishments will 
withdraw our settlers. The lands in Canada are all in the hands of 
Government of the Seigneurs. Both give gratuitously, I admit, but they 
give no titles,* from whence numerous difficulties arise in selling and 
transferring. Besides they are burdened with a considerable quit rent, 
the fees of transfer and removal, of escheats to the domain in default of 
heirs, of banalite,\ tithes, or reservations for religion, and reserves of 
mines, and oak timber, restrictions, unknown in the United States, 
where the lands are franchises and freeholds. It is therefore probable, 
that sensible settlers will always prefer to so precarious an advantage, a 
sure possession which can be transferred without fees or formalities. 

This country being bounded by the St Lawrence and the Ontario, its 
population will increase more rapidly than that where men can spread 
themselves ad infinitum, as in certain districts of Pennsylvania, upon 
the Ohio, Wabash, &c. What is here called the American Katarokouy, 
or I, II, III and IV of Macomb's great purchase, will always be the 
last stage, the Ultima Thule, of this part of the state of New York, and 
we ourselves, the last but one round of the ladder. On this account, 
lands, which in 1792 were valued at from $2 to $3 per acre, have now 
become from $3 to $4. 

The banks of our great river are not the only ones where our popula- 
tion tends, f Already those of Swan's Creek begin to fill up. Were it not 
for the death of Mr. P. we should have been much more advanced, for 
it was necessary to await the arrival of another engineer to complete the 
great surveys and subdivisions. Our winters are cold, but less than 
those of New Hampshire, and the snows of this climate are beneficial 
in preventing the frost from injuring our grass and wheat. It is truly 
wonderful to see with what rapidity vegetation is developed a few days 
after the snows are melted. I have placed your habitation not far from 
the great falls, but far enough distant not to be incommoded by the 
noise, or rather uproar, which they make in falling three different stages. 
The picturesque view of the chain of rocks over which the waters 
plunge their tumultuous commotion, the natural meadows in the vicinity, 
the noble forests which bound the horizon ; the establishments on the 
opposite bank; the passage of travellers who arrive at the ferry I have 
formed, all contribute to render the location very interesting, and it will 

* This applies only to Lower Canada. 

t The right of obliging a vassal to bake in one's oven and grind at bjjs mill. 



Survey of Great Tract No. IV. 55 

become more so when cultivation, industry, and time, shall have embel- 
ished this district, still so rustic and wild, and so far from resembling 
the groves of Thessalia. The house is solid and commodious, the 
garden and farm yards well enclosed. 

I have placed a French family over the store and am well pleased with 
them. I think, however, they will return to France where the new 
government has at length hanished injustice, violence and crime, and 
replaced them hy the reign of reason, clemency and law. The fishery of 
the great lake (Ontario) in which I am concerned, furnishes me an 
abundance of shad,* salmon, and herring, and more than I want. What 
more can I say? I want nothing but hands. You who live in a country 
where there are so many useless hands and whose labors are so little 
productive there, why don't you send as some hundreds of those men? 
The void they would occasion would be imperceptible ; here they would 
fill spaces that need to be animated and enlivened by their presence. 
What conquest would they not achieve in ten years! and what a differ- 
ence in their lot! Soon they would become freeholders and respectable 
heads of families. The other day a young Frenchman, my neighbor 
seven miles distant, and established some years upon the bank of the 
river, said to me: "If it is happy to enjoy repose, the fruit of one's 
labors and of ease after having escaped the perils of the revolution, how 
much more so to have a partuer of these enjoyments? I am expecting 
a friend, a brother; it is one of those blessings which nature alone can 
bestow. What pleasure shall I not enjoy in pointing out to him the 
traces of my first labors and in making him count the successive epochs 
of their progress and the stages of my prosperity! but above all to prove 
to him that his memory has been ever present to me. The objects 
which surround me I will tell him are witnesses to the truth of this: 
this hill upon the right, covered with sombre pines, is designated upon 
my map under the name of Hippolites Absence, the creek which tra- 
verses my meadow under that of Brothers Creek, the old oak which I 
have left standing at the forks of the two roads, one of which leads to 
my house and the other to the river Union Creek,\ the place of my 
house Blooming Slope. Soon he will arrive from St. Domingo, where 
Toussant L'Ouverture has allowed him to collect some wreck of our 
fortune." 

On the 27th of March 1800, Tillier was succeeded in the 
agency by Gouverneur Morris who appointed Richard Coxe, 
Nov. 13th, 1801, his attorney. On the 5th of Feb. 1S02, Chas- 
sanis executed a trust conveyance for $1 to James D. LeRay oi 
220,500 acres as surveyed by Wm. Cockburn and Son, and by 
other instruments for nominal sums.J The lands were mostly sold 
to actual settlers by Mr. LeRay as agent or principal but the 
details would be unintelligible without a map. Chassanis died 
in Paris Nov. 28, 1803. David B. Ogden, G. Morris§ and many 
others were at an early period concerned in these titles. 

Macomb's Tract No. IV was surveyed by C. C Brodhead in 
1796, assisted by Jonas Smith, Timothy Wheelor, Joshua Nor- 
throp, Elias Marvin, John Young, Isaac Le Fever, Jocob Cham- 

* White Fish? F. B. H. 

t An apparent omission in the original MSS. F. B. H. 

t Oaeida Deeds 9. 517 to 525. $ Jeff. R. 253. 



56 The Antwerp Company''s Purchase. 

bers* Elijah Blake, Samuel Tupper, Eliakim Hammond, and 
Abraham B. Smede, each with a few men as assistants, and the 
■whole having a general camp or rendezvous at Hungry Bay, en 
the north side of Pillar Point ata place called Peck's Cove near 
where the Chassanis line crosses the bay. The early settlers here 
found huts standing, and the remains of an old oven are still 
visible. The journals of these surveyors, show that they suffered 
much from sickness. Some of their, supplies were derived from 
Canada, but the most from the Mohawk settlements. A few 
troops were stationed on Carlton Island, and thither some of their 
sick were sent. This tract, excepting the east corner conveyed 
to Chassanis, was divided into 1000 lots of 440 acres each (ex- 
cepting those around the border), which were numbered continu- 
ously. Evert Van Allen, had been employed in 1795, in survey- 
ing the boundaries of tract No. IV. 

A proposition was entertained from Lord Poultney, in 1792, 
for the purchase of a million of acres of Black River land, at a 
quarter of a dollar per acre, of which .£5000 were to be paid 
down, .£20,000 in one, and the same in two years, and the re- 
mainder as soon as the surveys were made. Constable was to 
guaranty against claims from the native Indians, and all other 
parties, and to give immediate possession. The location was to 
be determined by Col. Wm. Stephens Smith of New York. This 
bargain failed, and Poultney afterwards became largely concern- 
ed in lands in the Genesee Country. On the 3d of October, 
1792, Jane, the wife of A. Macomb, released her right to the 
lands previously conveyed.* On the 12th of April, 1793, Con- 
stable sold in London, with the consent of Chassanis, who had 
previously held a preemption claim, to Charles Michael De 
Wolf of the city of Antwerp, tract No. IV, for 300,000 florins, 
money of exchange,! and in June following, of the same year, 
De Wolf succeeded in negotiating his purchase at a great ad- 
vance, viz: for 680,000 florins, to a company of large and 
small capitalists, of the city of Antwerp, who subscribed to the 
stock in shares of 1000 florins each, and organized under the 
name of the Antwerp Company. The stock was divided 
into 680 shares. Like most other operations of foreigners in a 
distant country, this company eventually proved unsuccessful, 
and a loss to the stockholders. Gouverneur Morris became 
their first agent in America, and on the 2d of January, 1S00, a 
deed of half the tract, or 220,000 acres,J passed to him from 
Constable on account of the company, for $48,889, and on the 
day following the other half, of equal extent, for $46,315-12 to 

* See Office Deeds 39, p. 332. t Equal to $125,356. 

X Oneida Office Deeds 7, p C12. 



Conveyances by Le Ray. 57 

James Donatianus Le Ray de Chaumont. Tract No. IV was 
found by Van Allen's survey, to contain 450,000 acres, including 
the state reservations. A former deed from Constable to De 
Wolf, was canceled upon ihe new one's being made. The 
division line between Morris's and Le Ray's conveyances com- 
menced at the N. E. corner of Penet's Square, and run on a line 
parallel with the county line, to the south line of No. IV. Mor- 
ris took all N. E. of this, and Le Ray the remainder. August 
15th, 1802, a new division line* was agreed upon, commencing 
near the S. E. corner of Penet's Square, running thence to the S. 
corner of lot 512, thence to the W. coiner of the present town 
of Antwerp, and along the S. W. line of that town to the S. 
corner of lot 337, and thence to the S. line of No. IV. A tract 
of 30,000 acres in the E. corner of No. IV was not included in 
these conveyances having been sold to Chassanis. In 1809, 
Morris retired from the business, his expenses and commissions 
absorbing 26,840 acres of land. On the 23d of December, 
1804, he had sold for $62,000 to Lewis R. Morris, 49,280 acres 
in the present town of Antwerp. f Mr. Morris subsequently con- 
veyed 41 lots to Silvinus Hoard in the western part of Antwerp,! 
adjoining Theresa, and since known as the Cooper Tract. 
Abraham Cooper, from Trenton, N. Y., became interested in 
this tract in 1817.§ The remainder of Antwerp, excepting 
three ranges of lots on the S. E. side, was purchased of Morris, 
by David Parish, in 1808. The tract amounted to 29,033 acres, 
and has been settled under agents of the Parish estate. Moss 
Kent succeeded as agent of the Antwerp Company ., and June 
15th, 1809, the remainder of their unsold lands, 143,440 acres,|| 
were conveyed to him. He was soon succeeded by Mr. Le Ray, 
and September 17th, 1810, the company sold to him for 145,000 
florins, money of exchange, all their interests in lands in 
America. The lands with Moss Kent were reconveyed to Le 
Ray, June 24th, 1817,11 except 3250 acres sold to Wm. H. 
Harrison and T. L. Ogden in Lewis Co., December 16th, IS 11. 
Mr. Le Ray is said to have been the owner of 126 shares in 
the Antwerp Company, and G. Morris of 26. The former having 
acquired a title to No. IV, and the Chassanis tract, removed to 
Le Raysville, where he opened a land office and proceeded to 
sell land to actual settlers, to a very large extent. He also 
effected with several Europeans, sales of considerable tracts, 
among whom were to Louis Augustin De Caulincourt, due de 

* Oneida deeds b. 10, p. 464. Jefferson deeds A, p. 358. 
t Jefferson deeds C, p. 63. t lb. L, 153. § lb. L, 68. 
|| Comprising 3 ranges of lots (ex. 772) on E. side of Antwerp, and all the 
company's land in Diana. Jefferson deeds, rec. Nov. 1, 1809. 
H Jefferson deeds, rec. Aug. 13, 1817. 

5 



58 Purchase of Count Survilliers. 

Vincence, October Sth, 1805, a tract of 4,840 acres near Mil- 
Jen's Bay, being 11 lots which were conveyed January 28th, 
1825, to Peter Francis Real, known as Count Real, chief of 
police under Napolen; to Emanuel Count De Grouchy, to 
General Desfurneaux and to others, considerable tracts. Several 
citizens of New York became afterwards concerned in these 
tracts, on their own account, or as agents, and extensive convey- 
ances were made; but as many of these were trusts not expressed, 
and referred to considerations not explained in the instruments 
of conveyance, or on recoid, an intelligent history of them can 
not be at this time obtained, with sufficient conciseness for pub- 
lication, should they be deemed of sufficient general interest. 
Among the lands conveyed were the following: 

To William and Gerardus Post, June 3d, 1825, for $17,000, 
11,880 acres (with 3503 acres excepted) in the present towns of 
Wilna and Diana;* 6,500 acres were conveyed by one, and the 
ex'is of the other of these, to T. S. Hammond of Carthage, Oct. 
2, 1837, by two deeds for $l8,000.f To Herman Le Roy, and 
Wm. Bayard, for $50,000, February 9, 1820, the interest of J. 
Le Ray, in numerous contracts to settlers on Great Tract No. 1V.J 

To Francis Depau for $23,280, and, $15,000 by two con- 
veyances, a large tract in Alexandria, adjoining St. Law r rence 
County ,§ now held by L. J. Goodale of Watertown. 

To Cornelia Juhel, October 9th, 1821, numerous lots,H and 
to many others, which without a map would be unintelligible. 

In 1818, Joseph Bonaparte, who in the United States assumed 
the title of Count de Survilliers, was induced to enter into a 
bargain with Le Ray, by which he agreed to receive in trust, 
with a warranty, the conveyance of 150,000 acres of land, in- 
cluding 74,624 acres of the Antwerp Company lands, to be 
taken in the most remote and unsettled portions, and at the same 
time Mr. Le Ray received certain diamonds and real estate, the 
whole rated at $120,000, and to be refunded in 1830, unless he 
should agree to accept before that time, the title of a part of 
these lands. A trust deed, with covenant and warranty, was 
accordingly passed, December 21, 1818, to Peter S. Duponceau,|| 
the conlidential agent of the count, for 150,260 acres with the 
exception of such tracts not exceeding 32,260 acres as might have 
been conveyed or contracted to actual settlers. This deed in- 
cluded the greater part of Diana, two tiers of lots from the S. E. 
side of Antwerp, the whole of Wilna and Philadelphia, a small 
piece south of Black River, where it makes a node across the 

* Jefferson deeds, X. 108. t lb. B. 3, p. 311. 

t lb. O. p. 37. § lb. O. p. 209, 211. ' 

II Jeff, mortgages A, 626, deeds N, p. 1. H lb. Q. p. 383. 



Conveyances by Le Ray. 59 

Chassanis line into No. IV, a tract of four lots wide and seven 
long from Le Ray, and nine lots from the easterly range in 
Theresa. It was recorded with a defeasance appended, in which 
it is declared a security for $120,000 as above staled, and it 
provided for an auction sale of lands, to meet this obligation.* 
Diamonds having fallen to half their former price, the fact was 
made a subject of complaint; and in 1820, the count agreed to 
accept 26,840 acres for the nominal sum of $40,260. These lands 
lay in the most remote portion of No. IV, and Mr. Le Ray, in a 
letter to one of the Antwerp Company, dated April 9th, 3821, 
complimented the count upon his taste in selecting a "tract 
abounding with picturesque landscapes, whose remote and ex- 
tensive forests, affording retreat to game, would enable him to 
establish a great hunting ground; qualities of soil, and fitness 
for settlers were only secondary considerations. * * * He regrets 
notwithstanding that thus far he has been unable to find among 
the 26,000 acres of land, a plateau of 200 acres of land to build 
his house upon, but he intends keeping up his researches this 
summer." The count subsequently commenced an establishment 
near the present village of Alpina in Diana, where a small 
clearing was made, but this was soon abandoned. 

On the 29th of October 1823, Le Ray conveyed to Wm. H. 
Harrison, in trust for the Antwerp Company, for $50,000. two 
ranges of lots in Antwerp next to Lewis County, subject to the mort- 
gage to Duponceau with a large amount of lands in Lewis County. 
Meanwhile an act was procured Nov. 27 1824, allowing Charles 
Joseph Xavier Knyff, Charles Joseph Geelhand Delafaille, Jean 
Joseph Reinier Osy, Pierre Joseph De Caters, and Jean Joseph 
Pinson, as trustees of the Antwerp Company, to take and hold 
lands, and to them Harrison conveyed the above tracts. Du- 
ponceau and Bonaparte subsequently released a large tract,f 
and took a title of 81,180 acres.! The history of these trans- 
actions may be traced in the recorded conveyanccs.§ James Le 
Ray, on the 31st of Dec. 1823,|| conveyed to his son Vincent, 
all his lands in Jefferson County, and by a similar conveyance, 
his lands in Lewis County,!! for the benefit of his creditors. 

Duponceau executed July 16, 1825, to Joseph Bonaparte, (who 
by an act of March 31 1825, had been empowered to hold lands), 
a deed of all the rights he had required in the above conveyances.** 
Bonaparte by an instrument dated July 14 1832, made Joseph 
Raphineau his attorney, to deed lands contracted by Joseph 

* Lewis clerk's office. t Jeff. Deeds, V, 434. June 22 1825. 

t Jeff. Deeds, W, 174, $ lb recorded Nov. 7, 1845. 

|| lb T, 305. IT Lewis Co. Deeds rec. April 13, 1824. 

** Jeff. Deeds, W, 181, Lewis Deeds, 1, 16. 



60 Subsequent Sales in Tract TV. 

Boyer his land agent.* In June 1835, he sold to John La Farge,f 
for $'80,000 all the interest of Count Survilliers, in lands in this, 
and Lewis Counties. 

It has been said with much probability, that Count Survilliers 
hastened to dispose of this estate, that he might be the better 
prepared to take advantage of any fortune which the revolutions 
of Europe might turn up, and the political aspect of the 
continent at that time, apparently favored the hopes of the 
Bonaparte family who have but recently regained the scep- 
tre, of France. The Count first urged the sale upon Judge Boyer, 
his agent, and came within a few thousand dollars of closing a 
bargain. Mr. La Farge, is said to have cleared a large profit 
in this purchase. 

In October 1824, the Antwerp Company appointed J. N. Rot- 
tiers, their agent, to receive and convey lands, and he was 
directed by parties interested in claims, to commence a prosecution 
against Le Ray, which was done. The extreme depression in 
the price of land and total stop of sales which followed the 
completion of the Erie Canal and the opening of the westean 
states to emigration, operated disastrously to all parties who had 
based their plans upon expectation of receipts from land sales; 
and notwithstanding the estates of Mr. Le Ray were both ex- 
tensive and valuable, he could not at that time encounter the 
combination of circumstances which bore so heavily upon all 
landholders throughout the northern counties, and he found him- 
self compelled to apply for the benefit of the insolvent act, and 
to surrender his estates to his son, in trust for his creditors. As 
a justification of his course, he published for distribution among 
his foreign creditors a statement,! in which he vindicated in a 
satisfactory manner the course he had adopted, and set forth the 
kind and quantity of property at his disposal to meet his liabili- 
ties. He had at that time the following lands in this state: 
In Franklin county, 30,758 acres, valued at $22,500 
" St. Lawrenee " 73,947 " " 106,000 

" Jefferson " 143,500 " " 574,000 

" Lewis " 100,000 " " 133,000 

Of his Jefferson lands, one-eighth were subject to contracts of 
settlers, upon which were three grist mills, three saw mills, 
and various clearings, with buildings. At Le Raysville, were a 
grist mill, store houses, &c., valued at $26,000, and in Pennsylva- 
nia,Otsego County, and in France other properties of large amount. 
In closing up this business, a large amount of land was confirmed 

* Jeff. Deeds, rec. Feb. 11, 1833. 
t Jeff. Deeds U, 2,43. 

% Acte de Transmission, par. M. Le Ray de Chaumont, a son fits de ses 
propiieles, #c, 4to, Paris, pp. 70. 



Lands South of Black River. 61 

to Vincent Le Ray, and the settlement of the affairs was so man- 
aged as to satisfy in full, the claims of American creditors. Our 
account of these transactions has been necessarily brief and im- 
perfect, yet the attention we have given it, has convinced us 
that there is nothing in the matter but that will bear the closest 
examination. 

A considerable amount of the Antwerp Company's lands, re- 
maining in scattered parcels, was sold in 1828, by the agent to 
John La Farge, but this sale was subsequently set aside by the 
court of chancery,* and Feb. 15. 1836, 24,230 acres, being most 
of the remaining lands of the company, and situated in Theresa, 
Antwerp, Alexandria and Orleans, were sold to Samuel Stock- 
ing, offjtica, and Norris M. Woodruff, of Watertown, for $1 
per acre.f Wm. H. Harrison acted in the latter sale as the agent 
of the company, and the tract has been nearly all sold off by Jason 
Clark, Esq., ofPlessis, agent of the proprietors. 

Mr. La Farge, on the 28th of July, 1846, sold to Chas. L. 
Faverger, for $48,513, a tract embracing the two eastern ranges 
of lots in Antwerp, and 122 lots in Diana, excepting parts pre- 
viously conveyed, amounting to 48,513 acres,J and a great por- 
tion has since been sold in large and small tracts to settlers. 
There is at this time but a comparatively small part of Great 
Tract No. IV, in this county, but that is under cultivation, and 
held as freeholds by the occupants. Dr. John Binsse, of Pamelia, 
is the present agent of La Farge. 

Wm. Constable, on the 18th of Dec. 1792, conveyed to Samuel 
Ward, for £100,000, 1,280,000 acres, it being the whole of Ma- 
comb's Purchase, in Nos. V, and VI, out of which was except- 
ed 25,000 acres sold to Wm. Inman.§ Samuel Ward, Dec. 20, 
1792, conveyed to Thomas Boylston (of Boston) for .£20,000, a 
tract,*commencing at the extreme southern angle of Lewis County 
as now bounded; running thence to the mouth of Salmon River, 
and along the lake to Black River, and up that stream to the 
north bounds of the present town of Leyden, and thence to the 
place of beginning!! the course of Black River was then supposed 
to be nearly direct, from the High Falls to the lake, and this 
tract was believed to contain about 400,000 acres, but when sur- 
veyed around by Wm. Cockburn & Son, 1794, it was found to 
include 817,155 acres! Ward also sold 210,000 acres to John Ju- 
lius Angerstein, a wealthy merchant of London, which, the latter 
afterwards sold to Gov. John Brown, of Providence, R. I., and 
which has since been commonly called Browix's Trad, and is yet 

* Paige's Chancery Reports, 1, p. 574, where a rehearal is declined, 
t Jefferson Deeds, Z 2, p, 455. t Jeff. Co. Deeds, 81. p. 532. 

$ Sec. office Deeds 39, p. 6. If lb. 39, p. 15. 



62 Titles South of Black River. 

mostly a wilderness. He also sold 50,000, and 25,000 acres to 
Wm. Inman, who afterwards figured largely in the titles ofLewis 
County;* with the exception of the 685,000 acres thus conveyed, 
to Boylston, Angerstein, and Inman, he reconveyed Feb. 27, 
1793, the remainder to Constable.f 

On the 21st of May 1794, Boylston gave a deed of trust of 
eleven townships to George Lee, George Irving, and Thomas 
Latham, assignees of the firm of Lane, Son and Fraser, of London, 
and they conveyed them to John Johnson Phyn, of that place,| 
(June 2, 1794) in whom, by sundry conveyances and assurances 
in the law, the title became vested. On the 10th of April, 1795, 
Phyn appointed Wm. Constable his attorney, to sell and convey 
any or all of the Boylston Tract,§ who accordingly sold, July 15, 
1795 (at $1 per acre, one quarter paid down and the balance in 
five installments, with mortgage) to Nicholas Low, Wm. Hen- 
derson, Richard Harrison, and Josiah Ogden Hoffman, a tract of 
300,000 acres, since known as the Black River Tract. This 
purchase comprised Houndsfield, W 7 atertown, Rutland, Champion, 
Denmark, Henderson, Adams, Rodman, Pinckney, Harrisburgh, 
and Lowville. On the 1st of April, 1796, Phyn confirmed this 
title.|| The tract was found by measurement to contain 290,376 
acres, to make up which deficiency, Constable in 1796, conveyed 
town No. 2 (Worth) excepting 948 acres in the southeast corner, 
which he reserved to himself. On the last mentioned date, Phyn 
conveyed to Constable, 401,000 acres, being the remainder of 
the Boylston Tract. The present town of Lorraine is in this 
conveyance. 

Wm. Constable gave to his brother James, a power of attorney 
to sell lands,- March 16, 1798,11 and, to secure, the confidence of 
Europeans, and others in the validity of his title, he procured from 
Alexander Hamilton, Richard Harrison, J. O. Hoffman (attorney 
general of the state) Daniel McKinnen,and other eminent lawyers, 
a certificate, that they had examined his conveyances, and believed 
them perfect. 

On the 22d of March, 1797,** Constable conveyed to Marvel 
Ellis of Troy, the town of Ellisburgh, in accordance with an 
agreement, dated April 11, 1796, except 3000 acres, conveyed 
March 17, 1797, to Robert Brown, and Thomas Eddy, in the 
southwest corner of the town.ff This tract was long without a 
resident agent, and from being settled by squatters, it acquired 
the unhallowed name of No God. In June 1804, Brown and 

* Inman was the father of Henrv Inman the celebrated artist. 

t Sec. office Deeds 25, p. 208. J Sec. Office Deeds. 24, p. 35. 

§ lb. 3D, p. 62. || lb. 36, 37, p. 214. 

If Sec. Office deeds, 41, p. 623. ** Herkimer deeds, rec. April 22. 1797. 

tt Oneida deeds, 7, p. 331. 



Titles South of Black River. 63 

Eddy sold half of the tract to Geo. Scriba, and the latter to Wm. 
Bell. The remainder was exchanged for a farm in New Jersey, 
by Lord Bollingbroke. Ellis's Purchase, according to Medad 
Mitchell's survey of Aug. 1795, was 51,840 acres, but by a sub- 
sequent survey of B. Wright, it covered 52,834 acres. Apart of 
No. 10. (Sandy Creek) was conveyed Nov. 16, 1796, to Mrs. 
H. M. Colden, for the Earl of Selkirk. Ellis, on the day of his 
purchase, mortgaged it for the payment,* and in 1801, he became 
insolvent. In Jan. 1802, Constable tiled a bill in chancery, against 
Ellis, and his creditors, to foreclose for equity of redemption. 
On the 22nd May, 1803, Wm. Constable died, and his executors, 
James Constable, John McVickar, and Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, 
were advised that the title was perfected by the answer to the 
bill in chancery, but, to put all questions forever at rest, they 
deemed it advisable to proceed, to foreclose. It was accordingly 
advertised, and sold, under the direction of Thomas Cooper, master 
in chancery, at the Tontine Coffee House, N. Y., March 1, 1804, 
to Daniel McCormick. On the 2nd day of March the executors 
of Constable, conveyed the town to McCormick,f and on the 3d, 
the latter reconveyed to the executors.^ On the 26th of April 
1819, a deed of release,^ from the heirs of Wm. Constable, was 
executed to H. B. Pierrepont, from whom the title of the unsold 
portions passed to his son, Wm. C. Pierrepont, who has in like 
manner acquired the title of Lorraine from Constable. 

The eleven towns were divided by ballot between the com- 
pany,|| August 5th, 1796; Harrison & Hoffman receiving 
numbers 1, 4, 5, 8, and 10, or Houndsfield, Champion, Denmark, 
Rodman, and Harrisburgh, and 1,283 acres of Constable's, 
No. 2 (Worth), which had been added to make up the amount 
purchased, and was used in " making change." Low received 
2, 7, and 11, or Watertown, Adams, and Lowville, with 1,576 
acres of the present town of Worth; and Henderson, 3, 6, and 
9, or Rutland, Henderson, and Pinckney, with 649 acres in 
Worth. 

These proprietors disposed of their towns as follows: No. 1 
was sold, the north half to Henry Champion and Lemuel Storrs, 
June 30th, 1797,11 and the south part (15,913 acres) to Peter 
Kemble and Ezra Houndsfield, for $4,000, March 10th, 1801, 
who have sold the most to actual settlers, through the agency 
of E. Camp. The sales of the north part will be given in our 
account of that town. Nos. 2, 7, and 11 were sold by S. Stow, 
M. S. Miller, and I. W. Bostwiek, of Lowville, agents for Low. 
No. 3 was first partly conveyed to actual settlers by Asher Miller, 

g * Herk. B. p. 254. V Oneida deeds, E. 490. 

l 4- J Oneida deeds, E. 402. § Jefferson deeds, U, 45. 

|| Sec. deeds 28, p. 504. II Oneida deeds, A, 35. 



64 Titles South of Black River. 

and Abel French; when the remaining interest of Henderson 
was conveyed to Dr. Isaac Bronson, of Greenfield, Ct., who gave 
its agency to his brother Ethel Bronson, with whom it continued 
till death, when it was transferred to George White, who com- 
pleted the settlements with settlers. No. 4 was sold to Champion 
and Storrs* (with the north half of 1), and by N. Hubbard and 
A. Lathrop, agents, it was sold to settlers. No. 6 began to set- 
tle under the same agents as 3. In 1806, Jesse Hopkins was 
appointed agent, and continued about 15 years. Certain lots 
amounting to 5,716 acres were sold to Isaac Bronson, June, 10th, 
1807, for $10,003-44,f and settled by the agents of the latter. 
No. 8 was settled for the proprietors by I. W. Bostwick, agent at 
Lowville. Harrison and Hoffman continued tenants in common 
of 5, 8, and 10, until may 1, 1805. J In July, 1809, an instru- 
ment was executed, securing certain interests of Hoffman to 
Thomas L. Ogden and Abijah Hammond,§ and on the 5th of 
January, 1810, Hoffman conveyed to Harrison his interest in 
these towns. 

The greater part of township 2 (Worth) fell to the share of 
Harrison and Hoffman. It was laid out by Medad Mitchell in 
1795; and, December 23d, 1797, these proprietors made a par- 
tition, and Harrison conveyed the north half to Hoffman, who, 
July 16th, 1798, made a conveyance to Daniel McCormick and 
Charles Smith, in'trust, to sell and convey and to keep the 
money till certain debts were paid.|| Several subsequent trans- 
fers were made, which we have not deemed of sufficient public 
interest to trace. The title to the south part remained with 
Harrison many years, and has but recently been opened for set- 
tlement. 

The boundaries of the Eleven Towns were surveyed by Ben- 
jamin Wright, in April and May, 1796, and from his field book, 
the original of which, received from Robert McDowell, Esq., is 
before us, the following interesting memoranda are quoted. 
These notes enabled the purchasers to estimate the relative valwe 
of the several townships, and formed the first accurate data pos- 
sessed in relation to the country south of Black River. The 
remarks on towns now in Lewis County are omitted. 

1. [Houndsfield.] This township is poorly watered, along the 
southerly line, but is very fine soil of land, and quite level. 
There it only one swamp, which is near the three mile stake 
[south side], and is a dead, marshy spot of thirty chains in width, 
and appears to extend N. and S. on the line for some distance. 
The timber is, near the lake, oak, hickory, chestnut, and some 

* Jeff, deeds A, 112. • t Jeff, deeds A, 112. 

J Jeff, deeds A, 137. $ Jeff, deeds P, 131. 

II OneiJa deeds F. 604. 



Wright's Remarks on the Eleven Towns. 63 

beech, maple, ash, birch and ironwood. On the east line of this 
town, there are many small streams of very fine water. The 
land is descending westerly, and a very fine soil, except a large 
swamp near the lour mile tree, which is some marshy, and tim- 
bered with ash, hemlock, &c. There is some exceedingly good 
pine timber on this line. The other timber is beech, maple, 
bass, elm, ash, ironwood, birch, &c. Pretty level, some gentle 
ascents and descents. Along the river there is an excellent 
body of pine timber of fine quality. The land along the river is 
handsome, but not more than four or five inches to a rocky, flat 
solid stone, which has large vacancies or seams, and the like, 
where you may find cracks in the rocks of ten feet to the bottom, 
and not more than four inches wide. Along the bay, there is a 
pretty good country, except some marshes, where the streams 
come in. The shore in many places along the bay, is a per- 
pendicular rock of 25 or 30 feet, and a very bold, deep shore, 
some flat, rock shore, and almost all is very stony. Some marshes 
along the lake, near to the peninsula, and some small streams, 
which all make a meadow or marsh, where they enter the lake; 
contains 26,048 acres. 

2. [Watertown.] Along the river there is some pretty good 
land, and some that is broken and rocky. The river is amazing 
rapid, and rocky; some falls along the river which may be made 
good mill seats and some excellent pine timber along the river. 
On the east line is a fine country. Near the three mile tree, is 
a swamp of yery fine ash timber, which will make excellent 
meadow. There are some steep ascents, and descents, which 
are all excellent soil. Timber, beech, maple, bass, elm, ash, birch, 
and some pine and ironwood; near the river some oak and 
walnut. On the south line is maple, bass, ash, beech, birch and 
elm. A very fine soil and pretty well watered with small streams, 
and some large ones. The west line is of a good quality. There 
are some fine mill seats in this town, which on the map are 
marked " falls," and " rapids." To speak generally, I think this 
to be an excellent township, and scarce any poor land on it. 
Will settle very fast, if laid in lots, and sold to settlers. Con- 
tains 26,804 acres. 

3. [Rutland.] Along the river very rocky, and some very good 
land; very few streams emptying into the river. There is a very 
fine mill stream and various mill seats, near the Black River, 
where it falls into the river; a fall of six feet, very curious in- 
deed for mills. Along the river, there are two falls of fourteen 
and six feet, which together with the rapids, that extend for a 
number of miles, make up a great fall in the river. The east 
line is a very fine country and handsomely timbered with maple, 
beech, bass, ash, butternut, elm and some pine and hemlock; on 



66 Wright's Remarks on the Eleven Towns. 

the south line there is a pretly good country, and timbered with 
maple, beech, bass, ash, elm, birch and hemlock. Along the line 
on the west side, it is a very good tract of land, and well tim- 
bered. This town appears to be exceeding good; all the waters 
are clear and good, and are formed altogether from springs which 
arise on the land. The town in general is most excellent soil, 
and very well watered, with large and small streams, and I think 
would answer any person's expectation for settling. Contains 
27,604 acres. 

4. [Champion]. The west line of this town is in general excel- 
lent land, and has no steep ascents and decents of consequence on it, 
but gentle slopes interspersed with small streams of excellent wa- 
ter. There are some fine mill streams, which have good mill seats 
on this line. A fall on a considerable stream of water, which ruris 
northerly, and falls into Black River, is a most excellent mill seat. 
The country is timbered with maple, beech, basswood, birch, ash, 
elm, butternut, and some few hemlocks. Along the river there 
is a very good country after you are a small distance from the 
river, and timbered with maple, beech, bass, ash, elm, and but- 
ternut, and some pine, and hemlock. There is a number of good 
mill seats on the streams which empty into the river, and a num- 
ber of rapids. The Long Falls, may be made good mill seats. 
This township is exceedingly good soil, and beautifully timbered, 
watered exceeding well and with excellent water, some lime- 
stone along the river, and some few ledges of other kinds of 
stone, of excellent quality for building stone. I have not traversed 
the interior part of this town, but from every appearance, it is an 
excellent township. It has almost every good quality that can be 
fixed in one township of land. Exceeding fine timber, and many 
mill seats; some fine timber, but not much that I have seen. 
Contains 25,708 acres. 

6. [Henderson]. The south land of this town is exceedingly 
good land, and is timbered with maple, beech, bass, ash, elm, 
some oak, and hickory; near the mile tree on the south line, there 
is a swamp of cedar, and some pine, ash, &c. The east line is 
timbered wilh maple, beech, bass, elm, ash, birch, &c, very 
fine soil, and pretty level, some swamp but all good, and will 
make excellent meadow, and are filled with valuable timber. 
The north line is a pretly level country, some gentle ascents 
and descents, and some oak, chestnut, hickory, ash beech, ma- 
ple, and some pine on it. Along the Hungry Bay there is 
a very handsome beach, and very fine land along all the 
whole distance around, until you pass a peninsula when you 
come to where the shore is a perpendicular rock, of from 30 to 
80 and in some places nearly 100 feet. The land does not ap- 
pear to be very good near the shore of these rocks, and no streams 



WrighVa Remarks on the Eleven Towns. 67 

whatever. A cedar swamp lies along on the top of the bank for 
a considerable distance. After you are at Stony Point you will 
find the lake shore of flat rocks, and the appearance of the coun- 
try to be pretty good; some marshes, and some cold hemlock 
land. Where the shore is not rocky, there are very large stones. 
The largest stream in this town is Stony Creek, which has a 
pond about three miles up, of 400 acres and a dead cranberry 
marsh around the pond. There are some fine mill seats on Stony 
Creek, below the pond, but none above. The marsh around the 
pond is very poor, and very miry. To speak generally, this is a 
pretty good town: has a good harbor, on the S. W. part is Stony 
Creek Bay. 

7. Adams. This is a very good township. On the south 
line, it is a very fine country, and very handsomely timbered, 
with maple, beech, bass, ash, elm, birch, butternut, and some 
excellent fine timber. Along the east line, there is some pine 
timber, and all the soil is fine; the timber in general is maple, 
elm, bass, ash, beech, birch, iron wood, butternut. It is a pretty 
level country, some undulations and some excellent swaly land. 
On the north line, there is very fine soil, and handsome timber of 
maple, bass, ash, beech, birch, elm, butternut, and some iron 
wood. The principal streams are Stony Creek and the north 
branch of Big Sandy Creek. This branch is a large stream of 
1 ch. 80 Iks., width, in general, and has some very fine interval, 
and is almost all flat rock bottom. There are some appearances 
of mill seats on this branch, and I suppose probably very good 
ones, but I have seen nothing of that kind. Some very fine 
springs of water, which are scattered over the town, and are of 
good quality. To speak generally, the town has every good 
quality. Millseats, springs of excellent water, pine timber, 
limestone, clay, maple, beech, bass, ash, butternut, birch, iron- 
wood, pine, oak, and some chestnut timber, gentle ascents and 
descents, fine soil, black mould, and loam in general. 

8. Rodman. The north line of this town is a very fine soil, 
and in general pretty level; some hills and some gentle ascents, 
all of which are very fine. It is timbered with maple, bass, ash, 
elm, beech, birch, butternut, and some few hemlocks, which are 
near the banks of the streams. There is some pine on this line, 
but not a plenty. On the east line there is a pretty good 
country, excepting it is cut to pieces much with the streams, all 
of which make large gulfs, which are from 40 to 150 feet deep. 
On the south line, is a pretty good country, very finely watered 
with streams. The timber in general is maple, beech, bass, 
elm, hemlock, spruce, ash, birch, soft maple and some iron wood. 
On the west line there is very fine land, which is timbered as 
the rest. The north branch of Big Sandy Creek passes through 



68 Title of the Islands. 

this town, near the N. W. part, and makes very fine intervals 
along its course. This is a fine mill stream, and has a sufficient 
quantity of water for all seasons. There are also some other 
streams, which run through this town, on which are fine mill 
seats. Some pine timber on this town, but not in abundance. 

These notes close with the following comparison of the proba- 
ble relative value of the several towns. Nos. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, are 
very little to choose in point of quality. 6 is best situated, but 
7 is most excellent. 5 would be called best by those New 
England people, on account of the luxuriance of the soil on 
Deer Creek. 2 is an exceeding good town, but is not so good 
as 7. 8 and 9 are very good towns. 10, the north part is ex- 
ceedingly good. 11, the west part is excellent. 7 has the 
preference for quality and situation together, and 6 for situation 
only of the whole. No 1 is well situated, but I fear has not 
good mill seats on it. 8 has excellent millseats and 9 also, but 
is some broken. 10 is bad in the south line, and 9 also is cold 
and hemlocky." 

The islands in the St. Lawrence, and Lake, w r ere included in 
the original contract* of Macomb, with the state, of June 22, 
1791, but, from the uncertainty about the boundary, they were 
not patented till long after. The claim of Macomb passed to 
Daniel McCormick, and was recognized by the commissioners of 
the Land Office, Jan. 28, 1814, when they directed the surveyor 
general to survey such islands as were clearly within the limits 
of the state, at the expense of the owner, and a release of damage 
was to be granted, should the lands so laid out, hereafter be in- 
cluded in Canada, upon the running of the boundary. McCor- 
mick sold his interest to D. A. and T. L. Ogden, which was also 
sanctioned by the commissioners, May 14, 1817. For running 
the boundary agreed upon by the treaty of Ghent, Gen. Peter B. 
Porter, was appointed commissioner, and Samuel Hawkins, agent 
for the United States, and John Ogilvie, commissioner on the part 
of Great Britain, who met at Regis, and after carefully ascertaining 
the line of 4b Q north Lat., by a series of astronomical observations, 
proceeded thence in two parties, one to Lake Champlain, and the 
other up the river. In 1818, the latter had reached Ogden's 
Island, and in 1819 their labor was completed. Patents were 
issued for the islands, as follows: 

All the islands in the state, between a line drawn at right 
angles to the river, from the village of Morristown, and a meri- 
dian drawn through the western point of Grindstone Island to 
Elisha Camp, Feb. 15, 1823. These islands contained 15,402.9 
acres, of which Grindstone Island contained 5,291, Well's Island 

* Land office minutes, vol. 2. p. 192. 



Towns of Jefferson County. 69 

8,068, and Indian Hut Island 369 acres, with several smaller ones, 
without names. Patents were also issued to Camp on the same 
date to Stony Island, 1,536 acres; Call Island 34.8 acres; Little 
Galloo Island 48.8 acres; the mos tofGalloo Island 2,216.2 acres; 
and Willow Island | acre. A patent to the United States, for 
30.75 and 5 acres on Galloo Island, was issued Dec. 11, 1819, 
and to Melancton L. Woolsey, Nov. 3, 1823, for Gull's Island 
6.5 acres, and Snake Island 1.4 acres. Cherry Island, in Chauinont 
Bay, 108.4 acres; Grenadier Island 1.290 acres, and Fox Island 
257.5 acres were patented to Hezekiah B. Pieriepont, and others, 
Oct. 1, 1824. 500 acres on the western part of Carlton Island 
were patented to Charles Smyth, Oct. 2, 1828.* A partition deed 
was executed between Pieriepont, and Joshua W'addington and 
Thomas L. Ogden, Nov. 10, 1824, by which the former received 
Grenadier and Cherry Islands. They were sold, Feb. 19, I825,f 
for $7000, to Wm. and Gerardus Post of N. Y. These islands 
had been occupied many' years by squatters, who with great re- 
luctance yielded possession. Incidents, connected with surveys 
and titles, will be given in our account of the several towns, and 
in their place, sketches of several of the characters who figured 
in these transactions. 

The jurisdiction of a part of Galloo Island was ceded by the 
legislature to the United States for a lighthouse, by an act of 
April 21, 1818; that of Tibbets Point (about three acres) Jan. 
25, 1827; that of Horse Island Ap-il 26, 1831, and of a part of 
Carlton Island June 21, 1853. In these cessions the state retains 
concurrent civil and criminal jurisdiction. 



CHAPTER IV. 

TOWNS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Adams, taken from Mexico, AprH 1st, 1802. 

Alexandria, taken from Broivnville and Le Ray, April 3d, 1821. 
Antwerp, taken from Le Ray, April 5tli, 1810. 
Brownville, taken from Leyden, April 1st, 1802. 
Cape Vincent, taken from Lyme, April 10th, 1849. 
Champion, taken from Mexico, March 14th, 1800. 
Clayton, taken from Orleans'and Lyme, April 27th, 1833. 
Ellisburgh, taken from Mexico, February 22d, 1803. 
Henderson, taken from Ellisburgh, February 17th, 1806. 

* See our account of Cape Vincent, 
t Jefferson deeds, V. 417. 



70 Towns in Jefferson County. 

Houndsfield, taken from Watertown, February 17th, 1806. 
Le Rav, taken from Broivnville, February 17th, 1806. 
Lorraine, as Malta,* from Mexico, March 24th, 1804. 
Lyme, taken from B ownville, March 6th, 1818. 
Orleans, taken from Broivnville, April 3d. J82I. 
Pamelia, taken from Broivnville, April 12th, 1819. 
Philadelphia, taken from Le Ray, April 3d, 1821. 
Rodman as Harrison* from Adams, March 24th, 1804. 
Rutland, taken from Watertown, April 1st, 1802. 
Theresa, taken from Alexandria, April 15th, 1841. 
Watertown, taken from Mexico, March 14th, 1800. 
Wilna, taken from Le Ray and Leyden, April 2d, 1813. 
Worth, taken from Lorraine, April 12th, 1848. 

At the time when the county began to settle, its territory was 
embraced in two towns of Oneida County. All south of Black 
River was a part of Mexico, and all north of the river belonged 
to Leyden. The subdivisions that had preceded these, were 
briefly as follows: In 1788 (March 7), Whitestown was formed 
as a part of Montgomery County, embracing all north, south, 
and west, to the bounds of the state, from which, by successive 
divisions, many hundred towns have since sprung. Steuben was 
formed April 10th, 1792, from which Leyden was erected, 
March 10th, 1797, embracing besides its present limits, all east 
and north of the river in this county and Lewis. By the same 
act the town of Mexico was formed, with most of Oswego, the 
south part of Jefferson, and west half of Lewis for its limits, 
and from this town, Champion, Watertown, and Lowville, were 
formed, March 14th, 1800, by one act; Adams, April 1st, 1802, 
and Ellisburgh, February 22d, 1803. Simeon De Witt in his 
map of the state east of the preemption line, published in 1802, 
adopted the following names to the towns in the county. 
Penet Square, now in Clayton and Orleans, Penet.| 
Great tract number four, Castorland. 
Purchase of the French Company, Chassanis. 
BVk R. Tract, No. I, now Houndsfield, Hesiod. 
" " 2, " Watertown, Leghorn. 

" " 3, " Rutland, Milan. 

" " 4, " Champion, Howard. 

" " 6, " Henderson, Henderson. 

" " 7, " Adams, Aleppo. 

" " 8, " Rodman, Orpheus. 

Town of Ellisburgh, Minos. 
Boylston Tract No. 1, now Lorraine, Atticus. 
" " 2, " Worth, Fenelon. 

But one of these has since been preserved. 

* Changed to their present names, April 6th, 1808. 

t A manuscript map of 1798 gives the name of Penet's Square as Richtland. 



Adams. 71 



Adams, 



Was formed from Mexico, embracing townships No. 7 and 8, 
on the 1st of April, 1802, the first town meeting being held at 
the house of Eliphalet Edmonds. The town derived its name 
from president John Adams. 

J\otes from the town records. — Wolf bounties of $5 were 
offered in 1803; of $10 from 1804 to 1814; of $15 in 1815. 
In the latter year a bounty of $10 was offered for wild cats, 
and $1 for foxes. A special meeting was held December 
20th, 1815, and these bounties were rescinded. In 1818, a wolf 
bounty of $10 was offered. Panther bounties of $10 offered in 
1811, 1813. 

In 1822-3, the poor upon the town were voted to be sold at 
auction, to the lowest bidder. In 1823, the town voted against 
adopting the poor house, and house of industry, recommended 
by the supervisors. In 1812, a penalty of $5 voted for allowing 
Canada thistles to go to seed. At a special town meeting, 
passed November 29th, 1842, the sum of $500 was voted for 
repairing the state road from Rome to Sackett's Harbor in the 
towns of P-edfield and Boylston. 

At the first town meeting of Adams, held March 1, 1803 
the following town officers were elected: Nicholas Salisbury 
supervisor; Phineas Keith, clerk; D'Estaing Salisbury, John 
W. Smith, David Grommon, Jr., Thomas White, assessors; Isaac 
Baker, collector; Thomas White, David Comstock, overseers 
of the poor; Paul Stickney, Jacob Kellogg, Simeon Hunt, 
commissioners of highways; Isaac Baker, and Anson Moody, 
constables; Daniel Comstock, David Smith, George H. Thomas, 
George Cooper, fence viewers; Jacob Kellogg, Benjamin 
Thomas, pound keepers; Abraham Ripley, James Perry, Enan 
Salisbury, John Cowles, Consider Law, Solomon Robbins, Heze- 
kiah Tiffany, Thomas White, Daniel Mansfield, Asa Davis, 
Squire Read, Abel Palmer, overseers of highways; David Com- 
stock, Simeon Hunt, deer reeves. 

Supervisors. 1803-12, Nicholas Salisbury; 1813, Jacob Kel- 
logg; 1814-17, N. Salisbury; 1818-20, Eliphalet Edmonds; 
1821-26, Wm. Hart; 1827-28, Isaac Baker; 1829-30, Cyrus 
Eddy; 1831, Chauncey Baker; 1832, Isaac Baker; 1833, Cyrus 
Eddy; 1834, Wells Benton; 1835, David J. M. Howard; 1836, 
Isaac Baker; 1837, Samuel Bond; 1838, D. J. M. Howard; 
1839-40, John H. Whipple; 1841, Robert B. Doxtater; 1842-43, 
Rufus Herick; 1844, Abram Sheldon; 1845-47, Joseph L. 
Green; 1848, Charles Potter; 1849-52, John C. Cooper; 1853, 
Joseph C. Green* 

Adams, or No. 7, fell to the share of Nicholas Low, in the 



72 Adams. 

subdivision of the eleven towns, by ballot, and was surveyed by 
Benjamin Wright in 1796, into 56 lots, numbered from west to 
east, and from north to south, commencing near Henderson Bay, 
and ending on the line of Lorraine. Mr. Wright complained 
of local attractions, that rendered it impossible to run straight 
lines. The lots varied in contents from 240 acres to 676 acres, 
and the whole made an aggregate of 26,505 acres. 

In June, 1799, a company consisting of Nicholas Salisbury, 
Robert Fulton, Caleb Ellis and son Daniel, Joel Guile, Abram 
Wilcox, John and Gideon Howard, and Elihu Phillips, followed 
up the creek from Ellisburgh, through this town and Rodman, 
and the former was so struck with the probable fertility and 
value of the town that he went to New York the same fall, 
and purchased a tract one mile below the village. About a dozen, 
whose names are given in the following list, took up lands the 
same fall. This list is taken from the land books of Nicholas 
Low, in the hands of I. W. Bostwick, Esq.. of Lowville. the agent 
under whom the town was mostly settled. 1798, Elisha Phillips; 
1799, Oct. 29, Stephen Shi ppey, Enon D'Estaing, Nicholas and 
Alex. Salisbury, Solomon Smi.h, Daniel Comstock. David Smith, 
Abram Ripley and Jonathan Cable; Nov. 6, Eliph't Edmonds, 
Alexander Dewey; Nov. 14, Geo. Cooper, Jehoida Page, Solomon 
Truman, John W. Smith, Francis McKee, Robert Myrick; Dec. 1, 
Squier Read, Daniel Fox, Zaccheus Walworth; 1800, Josiah'God- 
frey, Jenks Seaman, Simeon Forbes, Ebenezer Lazell, David and 
Stephen Grummons, Isaac Baker, Samuel Fox, Geo. Houseman, 
Peter Dockstader, Paul Stickney, Elias Avery, James McCumber, 
Russell Smith, Eben'r Brown, Amos Claflin, Joshua Comstock, 
Matthew Wilkie, Consider Law. In 1801, Abijah Miller, John 
Freeman, Josiah Godfrey, Daniel Talcott, Hezekiah Tiffany, 
Joseph Cook, Phineas Rose, Robert, Solomon and Asher Rob- 
bins, Simeon Meacham, Timothy Pond, Barnabas Wellman, Wm. 
Thomas, Abel Hart, Henry H. Walrodh, Chauncey and Roswell 
Mills. In 1802, Nathan Loveland, Cornelius Hinds, Sylvanus 
P. Daggart, Abel Loveland, Rosw T ell Taylor, Roswell Coe, John 
Richard, David Higgens, Aaron Farr, John C. Toll, John C. 
Scott, James Streeter, John Kudder, Joseph Landon. In 1803, 
Truman and Theodore Bunce, John Jones, John Wentworth, 
Sylvanus Barney, James Randolph, D. G. M. Gaylord, James 
Henderson, Thomas James, Absalom Price, David Gardner. In 
1804, Job Taylor, Eliphalet Adams, Abel Myrick. Darius Mark- 
ham, John C. Dickinson, John Weaver, Aaron Webster, and 
subsequently many others. Although in the fall of 1799, many 
parties were in looking for lands, yet ?no settlement was made 
until April 16, 1800, when Nicholas Salisbury,* from Western, 

* Mr. S. died in town, Dec. 11, 1834, aged 71. 



Adams. 73 

N. Y., found his way into town through Lowville, by a tedious 
journey of 26 days, bringing with an ox team and sled, his 
family and goods, fording the streams with great peril, and 
camping at night wherever necessity compelled them. Solomon 
Smith and son accompanied, as hired men. John Smith, Francis 
McKee, Consider Law, David Smith, Peter Doxtater* and others, 
several with families, came into town, and begun small clearings, 
mostly in the valley of Sandy Creek. The terms of purchase 
were $3 per acre, and an obligation to clear two acres, and build 
a house within a certain time. A tract of 500 acres, where 
Adams village now \<, was taken up by David Smith.f who in 
1800, built and got in operation a saw mill, and the same season 
witnessed the arrival ot numeious settlers, mostly from Oneida 
County. Those on foot, came by way of Redfield, but this route 
was then impassable for teams. The first acre of clearing was 
cut in May and June, 1800, by Samuel Fox, three miles above 
the village. Mr. David Smith, where Adams Village now is, in 
1801 or 1802, got in operation a very small grist mill, that 
superseded the stump mortars of the first season, and relieved the 
settlers from the long and tedious journeys to Coffeen's Mill in 
Rutland, or voyages in open boats from the mouth of Sandy 
Creek to Kingston. From the first prominent settler at the vil- 
lage, the place acquired and long retained the name of Smith's 
Mills, by which it is still sometimes known by the old inhabit- 
ants. In 1801, Jacob Kellogg, John Cole, and many others, moved 
in, and in the second or third following years, a flood of immi- 
gration soon filled up the town, which every where presented 
small patches of clearing, rude huts, blind paths through the 
forest, destined to become roads, and from every side echoed the 
woodman's axe, that gradually prepared the way for cultivation. 

The first deeds of land to actual settlers, were given Aug. 20, 
1802, to George Houseman, Peter Doxtater, Francis McKie, 
Robert Myrick, and David Smith. 

In 1802, a bridge was built near Smith's Mill, which has been 
swept off several times by the floods to which Sandy Cieek is 
peculiarly liable, and their maintenance has cost the town con- 
siderable expense. A. tax of $500, upon the town of Adams 
was authorized April 13, 1839, for the purpose of building a 
bridge across the north branch of Big Sandy Creek at the village. 
The first death in town, was that of Alexander Salisbury, who 
was drowned, March 21, 1801, while attempting to cross the 

* Mr. D. was born at German Flats; was taken prisoner by Indians, and 
kept three years: served in the revolution, and died at Adams, Dtc. 1,1842, 
aged 92. Congress in 1834, granted him a pension. 

t Mr. Smith died March 18, 1844, aged 73. 

6 



74 Adams. 

creek above the dam, in a scow. The first marriage is said to 
have been his widow, to Daniel Ellis, June 8, 1802. In 180-3, 
schools were begun at Smith's mills. The first innkeeper in 
town, was Abel Hart: the first merchant, Jesse Hale. 

On the first occasion in which the services of a physician were 
needed, in the winter of 1801-2, C. Smith went on snow shoes 
to Western Oneida County 25 miles, through a forest, and returned 
the second day. This mode of communication was common from 
necessity at that period. Dr. Green is said to have been the first 
physician who settled in town. Dr. >.li Eastman, located at an 
early day and resided till his death, Sept. 6, 1844, aged 77. The 
early history of this town presents few incidents worthy of spe- 
cial notice. During the war a company of Silver Grays, or old 
men not liable to military duty, and mostly revolutionary patri- 
ots, was formed in town, and once or twice repaired to Sackets 
Harbor, but were never taken into the service of government. 
In 1828, the sickness which prevailed so extensively in the vi- 
cinity of the lake, extended to this town, and proved very severe. 
Great numbers were attacked and many died. The location of 
David Smith, gradually became the centre of business, and has 
become one of the largest and neatest villages in the county. 
Adams Village is located mostly on the north bank of North 
Sandy Creek, near the south line of the town, and contains a 
bank, a weekly newspaper, churches of the Presbyterian, Metho- 
dist, Baptist, and Episcopal orders, and for thrift, enterprise and 
progress, will compare favorably with most villages in the state. 
A visible impulse has been given to it by the rail road, which 
here receives and discharges a large amount of freight for this 
and the adjoining towns. The water power of the village is ad- 
equate for its ordinary wants, and the surrounding country is 
remarkably fertile and well cultivated. The village was incor- 
porate under the general act, by the court of sessions, Nov. 11, 

1851, and confirmed by a vote of 79 to 51, on the 19th of Dec. 
in ihe same year. The village plat includes 812 acres. An at- 
tempt had been made in 1823, to obtain an act of incorporation, 
but failed; the notice of application was signed r by Elihu Morton, 
David Smith, Benjamin Wright, and John Burch. The trustees of 
the village have been : Feb. 1852, John H. Whipple, Samuel Bond, 
Calvin Skinner, Calvin R. Totman, and Wells Benton. March 

1852, Jeremiah Grisworld, J. H. Whipple, C. Skinner, C. R. 
Totman, W 7 . Benton, March 1853, Thomas P. Saunders, J. H. 
Whipple, Justice Eddy, Wm. Grenell, Julius K. Bartlet. 

On the 27th of May, 1852, the village was divided into five 
wards, and a code of by laws adopted. Afire company was formed, 
May 24, 1S53. About twenty-five years since, an effort was 
made towards establishing a female seminary here, of which Mr. 



Adams. 75 

Thomas C. Chittenden was one of the most active promoters. 
A small academic building was subsequently erected by individual 
enterprise, and the aid of Universalisls, who stipulated the right 
of holding meetings in it on the sabbath. The building has since 
been generally used for private schools, under the name of the 
Adams Seminary, and is now occupied as a session room by the 
Presbyterian Society. The project of founding an academy at 
this place, has lately come up for discussion. 

The Adams Library was formed April 12, 1831, with Cyrus 
Eddy, Wm. Chittenden, Walter Webb, Forester Dexter, and 
Wells Benton, trustees. It has long since been dissolved. 

A Rural Cemetery Association was formed under the general 
act, Jan. 17, 1848, of 33 citizens, who have laid out a neat and 
quiet lot, for the purpose, near the village. 

Adams Centre, ten miles by rail road from Watertown, and 3| 
from Adams Village, is situated on the upper lake ridge, which 
extends many miles southward and around into the Black River 
Valley. Its first growth as a village commenced in 1818, and 
since the location of the rail road it has increased rapidly, con- 
taining in August 1853, two Seventh Day Baptist, and one Bap- 
tist churches, 2 hotels, 4 stores, 2 carriage shops, 1 tin shop, 
the usual variety of mechanics, and about 40 dwellings. It was 
formerly known as Adams Five Corners. This place is 5 miles 
from Smithville, 4 from Rodman, 10 from Brownville, 11 from 
Dexter, and 8 from Sackets Harbor. 

On the west line of the town, and partly in Henderson, is the 
village of Smithville, which derives its name from Jesse Smith, 
one of the most energetic and active business men, who have 
lived in the county, and who, from a small beginning, arose to 
affluence, and controlled a business, which, for extent and import- 
ance, has had few parallels in the country. He first settled in 
Rodman, when the town was new, and began life as a jobber, 
in clearing land and making potash. At Smithville, he engaged 
in milling, distilling, and merchandise, and gradually became 
interested in the lumber trade, and commerce of the lakes, to a 
great exent. He removed about; fifteen years since to Newark, 
Ohio, where he now resides. Settlement was begun here in 
1804, by Daniel Hardy. In 1805, Abel Myrick, Henry Knapp, 
Samuel and Andrew McNitt, and soon after others located in the 
vicinity. The first public house was opened by D. Hardy. Brooks 
Harrington was the first post master. The village contains now 
fifty families. It has a limited water power on Stony Creek, and 
is surrounded by a rich dairying country. The Sackets Harbor 
and Ellisburgh rail road passes near the village. The Smithville 
Library was formed Feb. 16, 1824 and dissolved in 1845, having 
collected 362 volumes. The first trustees were Abel L. Crandall, 



76 Adams. 

Henry Keith, Daniel Hall, Jr., John M. Bart, C. M. Adams, 
Roswell Bosworth, and Brooks Harrington. In Feb. 1827, a 
post office was established near the line of Watertown, and named 
Union Post Office; E. M. Howard first post master. It has since 
changed to Appling, in honor of the intrepid officer who took 
the chief command in the battle of Sandy Creek. Adams, Adams 
Centre, and North Adams are names of the other post offices in 
this (own. 

Religious Societies. The Presbyterian Church of Adams Vil- 
lage, was formed as a Congregational one, July 1804, by Rev. E. 
Lazell, of 4 males, and 2 females. In 1801, divine worship had 
been established on the sabbath, and in 1802, the fiist sermon 
was preached by Rev. Mr. Woodward, missionary. Mr. John 
Taylor was hired a short time after, and in 1806, Rev. Phelps 
was hired to preach a few months. On the 31st of July 1811, 
Rev. Chauncey Cook was installed first pastor, in which year 25' 
were added. In 1815 the pastor left, and in the spring of 1816, 
Mr. Burt was hired 3 months. Rev. Mr. Porter was then em- 
ployed 2 years, and in 1818 Rev. Enos Bliss, 6 months. In 1819, 
40 were added, and in April Rev. Geo. W. Gale was employed. 
Oct. 25, 1819, he was installed by the St. Lawrence Presbytery, 
and in 1823 resigned. During Mr. Gale's ministry, a general 
revival of religion occurred, and in 1822, 63 united with this 
church, among whom was Charles G. Finney, who has since 
acquired a national celebrity as an evangelist, and is now presi- 
dent of Oberlin College. He had previously been a Jaw student, 
under Judge B. Wright, and evinced an ability and sagacity, 
that would doubtless have made him eminent in that profession. 
His attention is said to have been turned to religious subjects, 
under the preaching of the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, who has 
attained a distinction not less general as a revival preacher, and 
of whose labors we shall have repeated occasions to mention in 
the follow ing pages. The preaching of Mr. Finney has been 
remarkable for the boldness and originality of his logic, and the 
strength and clearness of his arguments, which seldom fail to 
secure the undivided attention of his audience, without those 
extraneous, aidsto excitement, which, in the hands of some, have 
produced analagous results. His first ministerial labors were 
performed in Lorraine, and, previous to his commencing his career 
as a revival preacher, he was employed at Evans Mills and else- 
where, as a stated supply. This church became Presbyterian 
Jan. 29, 1821, and has since so remained. On the 25th of Jan. 
1825, the Rev. John Sessions was installed pastor and remained 
till the spring of 1S30. Rev. J. Hart was hired the same fall, 
and in 1831, a period of great religious interest occurred, and 
many were added to the church. David A. Clark was in 1832 



Adams. 77 

installed, and left the next year. Joseph Myers, Chas. Jones, 
Dexter Clary, J. H. Carr, R. Richard Kirk, and P. C. Headley 
have since been employed, the latter being the present pastor. The 
First Congregational Society of Adams was formed Aug. 28, 
1805, with Jacob Kellogg, Eliphalet Adams, Elijah Fox, Daniel 
Comstock, Preserved Redway, and Simon Meacham, trustees. A 
church, 30 by 40 feet, was built soon after the war, and opened 
1818; it was afterward used by the Methodists, until burned about 
a year since. In 1825 the present church was commenced, and 
dedicated in 1827; cost $7000. The total number who have 
united with this church is about 600. 

A Baptist church was formed at the house of David Grommon, 
in September, 1802, and on the 13th of October, 1805, the Lord's 
Supper was first administered. In June, 1806, Elder Timothy 
Heath was employed, and meetings were for some time held at 
his house and barn; and on the 14th of December, 1824, a 
society was formed, with Daniel Talcott, Jacob Heath, and Asa 
Lewis, trustees. In the same year a church was built one mile 
from Adams Centre, on the state road, and in 1838, their present 
church was erected at a cost of about $3,000. Timothy Heath, 
Joshua Freeman, Charles Clark, Thomas Bright, and J. J. Teeple, 
have been successively employed as pastors of this church. In 
1853, a portion of the members erected a meeting house at 
Adams Centre, and have organized a separate society. On the 
30th of March, 1837, a Baptist church and society were formed 
at Adams village, with Jesse Wright, Hannibal Miller, and Spen- 
cer Woodward, trustees; but no church was built until 1847, when 
the present one was erected at a cost of $3,500, and dedicated 

in January, 1848; the Rev. Charles Clark, Hartson, and 

M. C. Manning, have been employed as ministers by this church. 

The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Adams, 
was formed October 24, 1828; the first trustees being Laban 
Ross, Philip Younge, David Wright, Zephania Jacker, Chester 
McKee, Daniel Dikeman, and John Adams. For some time the 
Methodists occupied the edifice first erected by the Presbyterians, 
but this being burned, they, in the summer of 1853, erected in 
Adams village a house 44 by 80 feet, at a cost of about $6000, 
including the site. In point of elegance and taste this edifice 
will compare favorably with any of the class in the county. 
A parsonage was built adjoining, the same season. The society 
had been reorganized May 14, 183S. 

The First Methodist Episcopal Church and Society in the vil- 
lage of Smilhville was formed October 31, 1844, with Horace 
Ivory, John Shanley, John D. Gillett, James Morton, and John 
Briley, trustees. A small church was built about 1845. 

In 1817, one or two families of Seventh Day Baptists, removed 



78 Adams. 

from Berlin, N. Y., to Adams Centre, and soon held meetings. 
On the 5th of June 1822, Wm. B. Maxson, and David Coon, 
sent for the purpose from Brookfield,N. Y., ordained Win. Green, 
and June 9, formed a church of 10 males and 11 females. Jan- 
uary 3, 1836 a society was formed, with Edward Whitford, 
Elihu Cleveland, Joseph S. Maxson, Asa L. Maxson, Benjamin 
Maxson, Charles Greene, Joseph Greene, Jr., Job Spencer, and 
S. Burdick trustees, who erected a church at Adams Centre, soon 
after. This body belongs to the Central Seventh Day Baptist 
Association of New York. The clergy have been, Wm. Greene, 
Eli S. Bailey, Giles M. Langworlhy, Joel Greene, Alexander 
Campbell, and James Summerbell; and by their report of 1853. 
the church contained 196 members. During the ministry of 
Mr. Campbell, the church was divided. 

In March. 1852, seventeen members who had withdrawn and 
had been excommunicated from the latter, were formed by Rev. 
Alexander Campbell into the Independent Seventh Day Baptist 
Church of Adams, who, the same year, built at a cost of $1,300, 
a church in the south part of Adams Centre Village, which was 
dedicated December 15, 1852. The Evangelical Seventh Day 
Baptist Society was formed January 3, 1853, with H. Bunce, 
Job Spencer, and Joel Saunders, trustees. Present number of 
church (August 1853), eighty-two. The Second Congregational 
Church of North Adams was formed by Rev. D. Spear, at the 
house of Roger Reed, November 1, 1809, of five males and eight 
females; and their first pastor was Edward W 7 . Rossiter, who 
was installed November 11, 1818, and has been followed by 
Abel L. Crandall, D. Spear, Austin Putnam, P. Cook, and 
Lewis M. Shepard; the most of whom preached alternately 
here and at Smithville. The latter was installed July 19, 1848, 
and remained till September 5, 1850, since which there has 
been no minister. The Society of this church was formed at 
the house of Asher Robbins, December 5, 1816, of which John 
Barnard, Asher Robbins, and Ruel Parsons, were trustees. 
January 28, 1817, Simon Read, Daniel Hall, Jr., and Amos Bos- 
worth, were added to trustees. 

The centre of the society being found to be a mile west of 
North Adams, a chinch was built in 1818, and in August, 1823, 
the society was divided; the Smithville Church leaving the 
meeting house with the Adams portion, who removed it to North 
Adams, its present place. Upon removing and repairing their 
church, a new society was formed, November 19, 1839, with 
Heman Colton, Elisha Reed, and Ephraim Reed trustees. 

Eujianuel Church (Episcopal), in the town of Adams, was 
legally formed February 18, 1849, the Rev. J. M. Bartlett being- 
rector. Henry B. Whipple, and Wm. Morton Johnson were 



Alexandria. 79 

chosen wardens, and John McCarty, David Gaylord, Hiram 
Salisbury, Philip R. Ward, John Wright, Justus Eddy, Charles 
W. Rodgers, and Thomas Dobson, vestrymen. On the 9th of 
October, 1849, the corner stone of a church was laid, and it was 
completed at a cost of over $2,000. The Rev. 0. E. Herrick 
has been since employed, but the parish is now vacant. 

Alexandria. 

This town Was erected from Brownville and Le Ray, April 3, 
1821, by the same act that formed Philadelphia and Orleans, 
the first town meeting being held at the house of Wm. Merrill. 
By the first act its limits included Theresa. An act of Feb. 6, 
1840, restored to the town of Orleans a small part that had been 
annexed to the latter. 

The town derives its name from Alexander, a son of J. D. 
LeRay, who obtained a Colonel's commission in the Texan revo- 
lution, and fell in a duel in 1836. It is the most northern town 
in the county, and lies opposite the Thousand Islands, which 
here present the most delightful scenery. 

Supervisors. — 1829, John D. Davidson; 1833-5, Jason Clark,- 
1836, J. D. Davidson; 1837, J. Clark; 1838, John W. Fuller; 
1839-40, Michael Lewis; 1841, Alexander Salisbury, at a spe- 
cial meeting in May, J. Clark; 1842, J. Clark; 1843-9, Harvey 
D. Parker; 1850, Geo. W. Clark; 1851, Moses C. Jewett; 1852, 
H. D. Parker; 1853, Andrew Corn well. A loss of the early 
records has prevented the above list from being perfect. 

The first improvement in this town was made about 1811, by 
Le Ray, who caused a clearing to be made at Alexandria Centre, 
and this plan was adopted to some extent in Theresa, to afford 
facilities to first settlers, by supplying them with grain, until it 
could be raised by themselves. He paid $12 per acre with the 
ashes, and half the first crop, for these jobs, and built a log barn. 
In 1811, the proprietors made the Morris and Hammond road, 
extending from Hammond village to the Red Tavern, near 
Theresa, where it intersected another road, from the river to 
Philadelphia. The former was cleared four rods wide, bridged 
and seeded with grass, but had become nearly closed up, when 
it was reopened as a part of the Military Road, in 1820-3. 

Cranberry Creek, about three miles from its mouth, was, dur- 
ing the war, the scene of an engagement that will be detailed 
in its place. Sales of land commenced in this town and Theresa 
in 1816, under Mr. Le Ray, the proprietor. The first contracts 
were made payable in seven years, and required the settlers, 
within one year, to build a house, equal to a log house 18 feet 
square, and to clear one twenty-fifth part of the land contracted, 
in a farmer-like manner. Prices begun at $3, and after 1820, 



80 Alexandria. 

mineral reservations were inserted in contracts and deeds. James 
Carnagie, Samuel Youngs, Win. Martin, Moses George, Leices- 
ter Hoadley, Root, John W. Fuller, Jerre Carrier, and oth- 
ers, were early settlers. The town continued to improve rapid- 
ly until -1828, when a sickly season checked its growth, and 
gave it a reputation from which it was slow in recovering. Sev- 
eral incidents are related of this town, at the period of its first 
settlement, among which was the following encounter with a 
panther, in 1819, as related by Jairus Rich, the hunter. It oc- 
curred near Hyde Lake, about three miles from the village of 
Plessis. He had set his traps for wolves, and had arrived within 
a few rods of one of them, when he observed a panther spring 
up and run with a trap to one of his hind legs. He fired, but 
missed the mark, and his game made off into the thicket, when 
he returned to a house nearly a mile distant, procured a small 
dog, and having again repaired to the place, and stationed him- 
self where he could start the entrapped animal, he observed the 
head of a panther emerge from the bushes about five rods dis- 
tant, upon which he fired and killed him instantly. He soon 
found that this was not the one in the trap, and a heavy shower 
of rain coming on, he found it difficult to load his rifle again, 
which he at length did. The dog, meanwhile, had engaged the 
other panther, upon which he filed and wounded him, and find- 
ing he could not reload, on account of the rain, he threw down 
his piece, and seizing his hatchet, sprung upon him, when 
there ensued a fearful struggle, in which, finally, the beast got 
under, wilh one of the man's hands in his mouth; the hatchet 
was lost, but with the oiher hand he drew from his pocket a 
knife, opened it with his teeth, and finally succeeded in cutting 
the throat of the ferocious animal. The hunter was badly torn, 
but made out to crawl to the nearest house, where, after many 
weeks, he recovered, but carried the scars of the conflict with 
him to the grave. We have condensed this account from one 
published soon after the occurrence, in the Independent Republi- 
can. The bounties for the destruction of wild animals were then 
so great, that the inducements for gain led to ingenious mea- 
sures for securing the rewards, and it is related of the same per- 
son, that having trailed a she wolf to her den, and killed her, he 
found in her cave ten young whelps, but too small to be entitled 
to the bounty. He accordingly built a pen in the forest, and fed 
them daily upon wild meats which he obtained in hunting, un- 
til they were grown. He became strongly attached to one of 
them, who would follow him like a dog, but the temptation of 
$50 was too strong to resist, and he slew his favorite pet, to gain 
the premium. 

This breeding wolves for the market, had its parallel in an 



Alexandria. 81 

instance in this town, in which a hunter, to gain the reward that 
might be offered for the secret, professed to know of a salt spring, 
to which he was induced to conduct a certain person, and in 
which he had a little previous buried a bag of salt. The water 
being duly "analyzed," by measuring, evaporating, and weighing, 
a purchase of nearly 800 acres was made, without a knowledge 
of the spring by the landholder, nor was the trick discovered 
before the bargin had been sealed and the sale perfected. 

Alexandria Bay was selected by Cadwallader Child, in 1804, 
while surveying a road from the Friends Settlement to the St. 
Lawrence, as an eligible site for a port, and accordingly a reser- 
vation of a mile square was made by Mr. Le Ray, for a village, 
which was surveyed out for that purpose by Edmund Tucker, 
about 1818. Mr. Le Ray erected a tavern and ware house, and 
for many years a thriving lumber trade was carried on, which 
continued as long as the supply lasted. This consisted of oak 
staves, and square oak and pine timber. A considerable amount 
of valuable timber had been stolen from this town, in common 
with the whole front of the state on the St. Lawrence, before there 
was any one to assert the title of the proprietors. The lower 
wharf at this place was built by Fuller and Walton, in 1823, and 
the upper one by Walton and Hamblin in 1840. The port has 
always been a landing place for the American steamers, and is 
an important wooding station. In the last two years about 12,000 
cords have been sold, each year. A custom house was established 
at this port in 1828, subordinate to the Cape Vincent distiict, 
while John B. Esselstyn was in charge of that office. The de- 
puties here, have been Hiram Davis, Azariah Walton, John W. 
Fuller, A. Walton, Edwin Tanner, and Martin J. Hutchins, the 
present incumbent. Mr. Walton has held the office 18£ years, 
Fuller \\ years, and Tanner 4 years. For many years the receipts 
of the office did not pay the expense of collecting. Sunken Rock 
Light House, in front of this port, was built in 1S47. The village 
of Alexandria Bay contained by the census of Mr. Rottiers in 
1850, 27 dwellings, 30 families, and !64 inhabitants. This vi- 
cinity has within ten years, become a fashionable resort for fishing 
parties, and the romantic scenery of the islands present attractions 
for those who take pleasure in observing the quiet and beaut iiul 
in nature, which has scarcely a parallel. Nor is the geology and 
natural history of this section without its romance, and the ob- 
server can scarcely advance a step, without having his attention 
arrested by some interesting feature, which affords subject for 
thought and admiration. The largest island before this town is 
Wells Island, which contains 8,068 acres, and in 1850 had 334 
inhabitants, of which 101 were in this town. The rock forma- 
tion is, like most of the Thousand Isles, primitive, and it presents 



82 Alexandria. 

a fertile soil, and its vicinity several attractive mineral localities. 
Until the running of the national boundary, the British exercised 
jurisdiction over most of the islands, including this. A locality 
of highly chrystalized magnetic iron ore, occurs 4 miles above 
the Bay, and l£ from the river, which has been purchased and 
opened to some extent by parties in Morristown. Sufficient labor 
has not been expended to determine its extent or value. 

Plessis, a small village, midway on the Alexandria and The- 
resa plank road, and 3 miles from Redwood, derived its name 
from a place in France. It is often known as Flat Rock, from 
the prevalence of the Potsdam sandstone formation in the vi- 
cinity, which presents a considerable surface of naked rock. In 
1817 Mr. Le Ray erected a grist mill on Plessis Creek, at this 
place, which, having been purchased by W. Shurtliff, and 
Jason Clark, was in 1830 rebuilt. A store had been opened 
by Lull and Walton in 1820, but the place increased very 
slowly, and ten years after contained but four familes. It now 
contains an inn, 3 stores, 1 grist mill, 3 saw mills, 2 wagon shops, 
2 blacksmiths shops, 1 cabinet shop and 130 inhabitants. John 
Powell was tried for the murder of Wm. Merrill at this place, in 
1826, and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. 

Redwood, a small village near the line of Theresa, owes its 
origin to a glass factory, established by John S. Foster who for 
several years had been engaged in this business as agent, at Bos- 
ton, Burlington, Vt. and Redford, Clinton County. In April 1833, 
he visited the county, examined several localities, and finally se- 
lected this, which is on the stream connecting Mud and Butter- 
field lakes, the former of which is about 94 feet above the latter, 
affording a limited amount of water power, that had several years 
previous been improved by the erection of a saw and grist mill 
by David Smith of Adams. Foster contracted with Francis 
Depau, for a tract of about 10,000 acres, as agent; borrowed 
several thousand dollars of Depau and the same summer erected 
the present glass factory, and on the 30th of Sept. 1833, the first 
glass was made. A village was surveyed by Thomas Clark, and 
named Jamesville, but Mr. Foster gave the place the present 
name, from its similarity to Redford, his late residence, in hopes 
of thus being able to compete in the sale of glass with an estab- 
lishment from which he claimed to have been unjustly discharged. 
His death, which occurred Jan .2, 1834, put a stop to operations, 
and the tract and improvements according to the contract, revert- 
ed to Depau. The factory was afterwards run by Schmauss, & Co., 
Gerlach & Son, Ingleson, Forbes & Co., H. S. White, and from 
1844 by Zeng & Co., from the Clyde glass factory. This firm at 
first consisted of Lawrence W. De Zeng, A. Burlingame, and 
Theodore Hinman. The latter was succeeded by A. Salisbuiy, 



Alexandria. 83 

and this firm continued operations till July 1, 1853, when a joint 
stock company of $12,000 capital, went into operation, entitled 
the Redwood Glass Manufacturing Company. 

The company employs about 30 men, and makes $40,000 
worth of glass, annually. The glass is sorted into qualities as 
follows, commencing with the best; viz. Patent 1st; Patent; 
Lake; Cylinder; Boston. 

The material for these various qualities is the same, and an 
effort is always made to obtain the first quality, but there are so 
many contingencies unavoidable in the manufacture, that a con- 
siderable portion from each blowing belongs to the poorer quali- 
ties. The sand used in making glass is procured by calcining 
and crushing the Potsdam sandstone of the vicinity, which is 
found to afford a material well adapted to the business. The 
wholesale prices of glass vary from $2 to $3 per 50 feet for the 
small sizes. The three better qualities alone are cut to large 
sizes, the prices of which become more than double, as the di- 
mensions reach 26 by 36 inches and upwards. The labor of 
blowing into cylinders, flattening and cutting, is paid by the 100 
feet, and wages vary with the skill and luck of t*he laborers, 
some of whom receive high wages. Redwood has, besides, a 
Catholic and Episcopal church, two inns, three stores, one grist- 
mill, two saw-mills, two wagon shops, and several other shops, 
with water power. In 1850 it had 58 families, and 332 inhab- 
itants. It is on the Military Road, 13 miles from Hammond, and 
distant 7 miles from Alexandria Bay, 3 fromPlessis, and 6 from 
Theresa. Alexandria, Alexandria Centre, Plessis and Redwood 
are post offices in this town. The Alexandrian Library was 
formed June 2, 1823, having for its first trustees Jerre Carrier, 
Willard Merrick, William Merrill, Hiram Mills, Jonathan B. , 
Thompson, Joseph Ingham, Jr., Samuel J. Bingham, Nathaniel 
Goodell, Jacob Elwood. It has been discontinued. 

This town set a commendable example by the holding of a 
town fair and cattle show, for the encouragement of agriculture, 
in 1838 and 1839, the first of which was held at Plessis, and 
the second at Theresa Falls, then in Alexandria. The notice of 
the first of these was issued in March, several months in ad- 
vance, and promised the distribution, as premiums, of not less 
than $130, the most of which was given by the land proprie- 
tors interested in the town. Mr. Marshall, agent of Depau, was 
active in originating the first fair, while the second was a popu- 
lar movement. They were held but two years. 

Religious Societies. — The First Presbyterian Church of Alex- 
andria was formed at Plessis, August 1 1, 1821, by Rev. Nathaniel 
Dutton, and consisted of seven members. The clergy since em- 
ployed, have been the Rev. Messrs. Wm. B. Stovve, John Ses- 



84 Alexandria. 

sions, Wra. Chittenden, Lewis M. Shepard, L. Wilcox, Henry 
Smith, and C. W. Treadwell. It has belonged to the Water- 
town Presbytery since February, 1823. A union church was 
built in Plessis, in 1833, at a cost of $2,100, of which Francis 
Depau gave $1,000, the Antwerp Company $100, and citizens 
the balance. It is open to all denominations one quarter of the 
time, to Presbyterians one-half, to the Free Will Baptists one- 
eighth, and to the Universalists one-eighth of the time. 

A Congregational Society was organized at the Bay, in 1823, 
with J. Carrier, N. Goodale, A. Goddard, Wm. Merrill, and Jas. 
Carnigie, trustees. A Methodist Society was formed Dec. 22, 
1835, the first trustees being Samuel J. Brooks, Alexander Mor- 
gan, and Benjamin Barns. This denomination has a chapel at 
Alexandria Centre, which was erected about 1839. 

St. Peter's Church (Episcopal), was formed at Redwood, Aug. 
12, 1850, with Daniel Slack and Matthias Harrison, wardens; 
Richard Gray, L. W. DeZeng, Chas. Clark, James Wright, and 
Josiah Bucklee, vestrymen. Rev. Wm. Allen Fisk was at that 
time missionary. The present one is the Rev. B. W. Whitcher. A 
small Gothic church was erected in 1851, after the designs of R. 
Upjohn of New York. The church now reports 98 individuals. 
The Baptists have two organizations in town, the first of which 
began to report to the B. R. Association in 1830, and the second 
in 1833. Their last report gave 21 and 34, respectively, and 
neither have a house of worship. The Free Will Baptists have 
an organization in town, but their numbers are much reduced. 

St. Francis' Church (Catholic), was erected about five years 
since, at Redwood, and is supplied by priests from Watertown 
and Carthage. 

A Reformed Protestant Dutch Church was organized at. Alex- 
andria Bay, under the following circumstances. In the summer of 
1846, the Rev. George W. Bethune, D. D.,of Brooklyn, having 
occasion to spend a few days at' the place, and learning that 
among a scattered population of 2000, o;i the island and main 
land, there was no place of worship, and few religious opportu- 
nities, except one service a month by a Methodist circuit preach- 
er, formed the plan of organizing a church here. He called 
the inhabitants together, and preached to them on the sabbath, 
and at the close of the service he suggested to them the estab- 
lishment of a sabbath school, promising them a supply of books 
for the purpose. The suggestion was complied with, a school 
opened, 40 or 50 scholars gathered into it, and it was kept up 
about a year. In 1847, the Rev. Jerome A. Davenport was in- 
duced by Dr. Bethune to visit the place as a missionary, being 
partially supported by a few friends of the mission, until, in 
1850, the care was assumed by the Board of Domestic Missions, 



Antwerp. 85 

of that order. In the fall of 1847, Mr. D. raised $1275, in New 
York, Brooklyn, and adjacent places, and $275 from resi- 
dents at the Bay. He remained three years, a considerable time 
abroad, soliciting aid, and in the fall of 1848 the erection of a v 
church was begun, and May 25, 1851, it was opened for wor- 
ship. It is of stone, 35 by 55 feet, and has a truncated tower 60 
feet high. It will seat from 350 to 400 persons, and tost $2,821- 
8S, besides $170 for a bell, of which all but $286*91 was raised 
abroad. Since August, 1850, the Rev. Anson Du Bois has had 
the pastoral care of the church. On the 1st of August, 1851, 
the church was regularly formed, the Rev. Charles Wiley, D. D. 
being present as a committee representing the Classis of Cayuga., 
It consisted of 13 members, of whom 5 were males; present 
number 20. Alva Ford and James Wadsworth were appointed 
elders and deacons, and the organization was named The 
Church of the Thousand Isles. The sites for a church and par- 
sonage were given by the heirs of Depau, and a parsonage was 
built in 1852, at a cost of $800. 

Antwerp. 

This town was formed from Le Ray, with its present 
limits, April 5th, 1810, to take effect on the 1st of January 
following. A part of Lewis County was annexed to Jefferson 
by the same act. The first town meeting was directed to be 
held at the house of Francis McAllaster. 

Supervisors. — 1811-7, Daniel Heald; 1818-9, Silvius Hoard; 
1820-2, John Howe; 1823-4, S. Hoard; 1825-6, J. Howe; 
1827, Joseph H. Bagg; 1828, Ralph Rogers; 1829, William 
Skinner; 1830-2, Rufus H. King; 1833-4, David McAllaster; 
1835, R. H. King; 1836, Edward Fowler; 1837-8, Tilley R. 
Pratt; 1839, R. H. King; 1840, William McAllaster; 1841-2, 
James White; 1843, Alanson Drake; 1844-9, Alden Adams; 
1850-1, Joseph H. White; 1852, Josiah S. Conkey; 1853, 
John H. Conklin. The town is named from Antwerp in Belgium, 
the seat of the Antwerp Company. 

Notes from the Town Records, 1811. — " Resolved, that there 
be five dollars raised for the purpose of destroying the animal 
woolf, by a majority of said meeting, and payed, for each full 
grown woolf caught and killed in said town the ensuing year." 
The same bounty in 1812-3. In 1816, a bounty of $1 was 
offered for foxes, and 25 cents for hen hawks, but these were 
repealed the next year. In 1835, a crow bounty of 1 shilling 
was offered. In 1827-8 and 1837-8, wolf bounties of $10. 
In 1839, of $15; in 1841-2-3-4, wolf bounties of $20. In 
1840-1, crow bounties of 1 shilling. 



86 Antwerp. 

On the 2d of July, 1812, a special meeting was called to take 
measures considered necessary in consequence of the war. 
Their proceedings are recorded as follows: 

"At a convened meeting of the inhabitants of the town of 
Antwerp, county of Jefferson, for the purpose of making fortifi- 
cation against an expected enemy, the following resolutions 
were passed. Resolved, That Samuel Randall, town clerk, shall 
be made moderator. Resolved, That there be built a fort, 36 by 
20, the lower story, and upper 40 by 22, for the security of the 
inhabitants of said town. Resolved, that it be set north of 
Indian River 30 rods, in front of Sylvius Hoard's house." John 
Howe, Silas Ward, and Oliver Hoard, were appointed a building 
committee, 50 cents were to be allowed for a day's work, to be 
paid by a tax. 

On the 17th of July, another special meeting was held, at the 
request of the commissioners and supervisor of the town, for 
the purpose of devising " a proper method for our defense, 
through a tragedy of war which is now beginning action 
between the United States and Great Britain," and according to 
law, notice was given to the inhabitants, for the said meeting to 
be held at the house of Francis McAllaster, inn keeper. A 
similar series of resolutions were passed, with the additional 
clause requiring the laborers on the fort to work for 50 cents per 
day and board themselves. 

In 1813, a town law was passed, requiring the registry of 
births and deaths, and this commendable practice was maintained 
several years. In 1816, a committee consisting of John Howe, 
Silvius Hoard, and Samuel Randall, were appointed to take 
charge of the church when completed. This was the present 
brick church, erected at the expense of David Parish, for the 
use of the town, at a cost of $9692-26. 

In 1825, the following extraordinary bounty was offered by 
the town. "And it is further ordained and declared by the au- 
thority aforesaid, that if any person or persons not exceeding 
four in number, being inhabitants of said town of Antwerp, shall 
devise, discover, or perceive, any certain and sure plan, method, 
or device, for effectually destroying and eradicating the Canada 
thistle from the land, such persons shall each be entitled to receive 
from the said town, the sum of $10." At the same meeting it 
was resolved that the annual town meeting should annually 
thereafter, be held alternately at Indian River and Ox Bow 
villages. For several years these have been held at Antwerp 
village only. 

The first settler in this town, is said to have been Capt. Wm. 
Lee, who in 1803, located on the old state road, three miles 
north of Antwerp village, where he was induced to open an inn 



Antwerp. 87 

for i he accommodation of the settlers then passing through into 
St. Lawrence County. The town had been early purchased by 
Gen. Lewis R. Morris, of Springfield, Vt, who at one time de- 
signed settling at the present village of Ox Bow, where he made 
a small clearing and erected a log house, Under his direction 
the town began to settle. 

In the spring of 1806, Silas Ward commenced the ereclion of 
a saw mill at the present village Jor Morris, which was the first 
improvement here, and the place acquired and long maintained 
the name of Indian River, by which name it is still known by 
old settlers. It being at the point where the state road crossed 
the river, and affording a good water power, the place was 
naturally destined to become the eentre of business for the sur- 
rounding country. In the winter of 1805, a road was opened 
from Philadelphia to this place and Ox Bow, and the next year 
to Gouverneur, which began to settle at about this time. Ger- 
shom Matoon kept the first inn at the village. In Jan. 1807, 
JohnJenison, was appointed a local agent, under whose direction 
a grist mill was built on the site of the present clothing works. 
The land books show the following names of settlers, with the 
dates of their purchase: 1805, Wm. Lee. 1806, John Bethel, 
John Robinson, Peter Vrooman, Edward Foster, Jr., Mary Stir- 
ling, Benajah Randall, John Jenison, Peter Raven, Hopestill 
Foster and John C. Foster. 1807, Zebulon Rockwell, Samuel 
Griswold, David Coffeen, Zopher Holden. 1808, Samuel Ran- 
dall, Zebina Bishop, Mary Bishop, Alfred Walker, Daniel Gill, 
Wm. Fletcher. 1809, Rich'd McAUaster, Dexter Gibbs, Shere- 
biah Gibbs, Jonathan Marbles, Isaac L. Hitchoock, Timothy 
Ruggles, Jesse Jackson, Daniel Heald, John Pease. 1810, 
Amasa Sartwell, Almond Beecher, Wm. Fletcher, Duthan Kings- 
bury, Harrison Mosley. 1811, Oliver Howell, Lemuel Hubbard, 
Anson Cummings, John White, Levi Wheelock. 1812, Wm. 
Harris, Wm. McAUaster, Daniel Sterling, Salmon White, War- 
ren Streeter, Wm. Randall, Elkanah Pattridge, Ira Ward, Asher 
Seymour, Roswell Wilder, Benj. Goodwin, Elliot Lynde, Daniel 
Gill, Caleb Cheney, Henry C. Baldwin, James Briggs, Silas 
Brooks, Shailer Beckwith, Silas W T ard, Ezra Church. In 1808, 
David Parish,* an eminent banker of Hamburgh, made exten- 
sive purchases in Northern New York, including 29,033 acres 
in this town. Mr. Jenison was continued in the agency until 
succeeded by Sylvius Hoard. In April, 1824, the present agent, 
Mr. Wm. McAUaster was appointed. 

Soon after Mr. Parish had purchased, the greatest alarm was 
spread through the settlement of Antwerp and Rossie, by the 

* A biographical sketch of Mr. David Parish and his brother George, are 
given in the Hist. St. Lawrence and Franklin Co's, p. 600. 



88 Antwerp. 

misrepresentations of a vicious minded person, who had previ- 
ously been employed as an agent for selling one of the townships 
of St Lawrence County, and had deliberately perpetiated a vil- 
lianly in the execution of his trusts, for which there was no 
iniely redress. With no assignable motive but a morbid love 
of mischief, he visited some of the settlers, and announced that 
they had now changed masters, and would soon know what it 
was to be in the hands of a tyrant; that their dues would be ex- 
acted with vigor, and forthwith, or they would be stripped of 
theii property and turned off destitute from their homos. This 
alarming announcement, coming from one who figured largely 
in public affairs, spiead an alarm through the settlement, and 
when they were shortly after visited by Mr. Joseph Rosseel, 
agent of the new purchaser, the excitement was intense. He 
immediately set himself at work in restoring confidence with the 
people, visited them in their houses, shared in their homely fare, 
entered into all their little plans and amusements, attended their 
parties, and by a persevering course of familial ity and kindness, 
soon succeeded in counteracting the mischief which the slander- 
ous villian had occasioned. 

On the arrival of Mr. Parish, he visited every family, and as- 
sured them that they might depend upon any indulgence that 
might be reasonably asked. The sincerity of this promise they 
never found reason to distrust. 

Mr Parish adopted the plan of giving contracts entitling to 
deeds upon payment, while Morris had commenced giving deeds, 
and taking back mortgages. The early sales were conditioned 
to the clearing of a certain portion of land, and the erection of a 
house, and shortly after the mineral wealth of the town began 
to be known, a clause was inserted in the contracts, reserving all 
mines of iron, copper, and lead. The form of reservation now 
adopted was drawn up with the counsel of several eminent law- 
yers, and is as follows: " And such conveyance thereof, to con- 
tain an express exception and reservation, of all mines or ores 
of iron, copper, or lead, plumbago, zinc, tin and silver, and all 
beds of coal, marble, gypsum, copper and waterlimestone, and 
all mineral springs, which may be upon, under, or within, the 
limits of the said above described parcel of land; and also an ex- 
press reservation to the grantor, to be threin named, and to his 
and their heirs and assigns forever, of the right and privilege to 
search and dig on any and every part of the said premises, for 
such minerals, or ores, and if found, to raise, wash, remove and 
take away the same to his, or their own benefit,and to use and 
employ all proper means for these, or any of these purposes: the 
said grantor covenanting, or agreeing, on his part and behalf, 
to make just, reasonable and full compensation, to * * * for all 



Antwerp. 89 

such damage, if any, as he, or they may sustain, by reason of 
any such search or digging, whether in respect to any dwell- 
ing, or other buildings, or improvements on the said lands, or in 
respect to the cultivation of the same in consequence of any injury 
to the soil thereof." 

The following table will show the rate at which the Parish 
tract in this town has been settled, nearly every acre of which, 
has been either deeded or contracted. 





Acres Con. 


Sums Due. 




Acres Con. 


Sums Due. 


1826. 


10,351, 


$44,761. 


1845. 


14,084, 


$93,769. 


1S30. 


13,494, 


54,370. 


1850. 


9,330, 


57,647. 


1835. 


13,193, 


64,343. 


1853. 


5,089, 


38,039. 


1840. 


16,782, 


94,337. 









At present rates, the town will be entirely settled up at the 
land office in seven or eight years. 

In 1808, a party of militia, under Captain Timothy Tamblin, 
was stationed near the intersection of the two great roads 
leading into St. Lawrence County, a mile north of the village, 
to prevent smuggling under the embargo law. There was much 
opposition both in theory and practice to this law. An instance 
is related in which a practical joke of a somewhat serious nature, 
was played off upon one of these guardians of the national 
welfare. A person to whom the law was odious, having set a 
trap in his sleigh, and placed around it a loading calculated to 
convey the impression that they were smuggled goods, ap- 
proached the guard, but warned those on duty to keep away 
from his load, or they would get into trouble. Not deterred by 
this threat, one of the guard proceeded rudely to overhaul the 
sleigh, to ascertain its contents, and was soon convinced that it 
at least concealed a trap, for it sprung upon his hand, at which 
the driver gave reins to his team and drove off exclaiming: 
"I've caught a Democrat!" Soon after the news of the war 
reached the town, the inhabitants concerted measures for self- 
protection by building a block house, which stood in the street, 
in front of T. R. Pratt's present hotel. It was used a short 
time by the inhabitants, but the terror which the news of 
war first occasioned soon subsided, and it was demolished. 
During the war, a company of regular troops was stationed a 
little north of Antwerp Village, to prevent smuggling into the 
country from Canada. The inducements which led to this were 
so strong, that much ingenuity was exercised in evading the 
vigilance of sentinels, and sometimes with great success. Five 
or six sleigh loads of tea, had on a certain occasion been got to 
within three or four miles of Antwerp, having passed thus far 
without suspicion from the tea being packed in bags, like grain 
7 



90 Antwerp. 

on its way to market. To evade the military guard that ob- 
structed the road, the following stratagem was adopted. Captain 
B. who had charge of the company, was invited to a whist 
party at Cook's Tavern, three miles north of Antwerp, at 
which place, during the evening, a large party of boys and 
young men assembled, with no apparent object but to spend the 
evening in carousing, drinking and card playing. Brandy cir- 
culated freely, and the revels continued till a late hour in the 
night, when the captain and his party set out to return in a 
sleigh closely followed by the loads of tea, thickly covered by a 
disorderly crowd, who by singing, shouting, quarreling, and 
fighting, made the night hideous with unearthly discords, and 
would readily pass as a half drunken rabble returning from a 
midnight revel. The captain, who was himself rather more 
than half intoxicated, entered with spirit into the merriment of 
the others, and as the train approached the sentinels, he shouted: 
"Its Captain B., let my company pass." The order was obeyed, 
and the disorderly mob passed on, and having got beyond reach 
of danger, they left the teams to pursue their course in quiet, 
and in due time boasted of the success of their stratagem. 

In December 1816, preparations were begun under direction 
of Parish, for the erection of a forge, on Indian River, a mile 
above Antwerp Village. A road, a dam, a forge, and a house, 
were built soon after, and the forge continued two or three years 
with no profit. In 1824 a distillery was commenced at the same 
place, and kept in operation from 1825, till the death of George 
Parish in 1839, running mostly during the fall, winter and spring 
months, and consuming from Jan. 1826 till May 1839 (except 
1829, 30, during, a part of which years it was not run) 72,114 
bushels of corn, 40,074 of rye, 4,423 of rye malt, 2,370 pt rye 
flour, 663 of barley malt, 108 of crushed barley, and 4,899 pounds 
of hops, and making more than half a million of gillons of proof 
whiskey. From 50 to 125 head of cattle were fattened here 
annually during the winter months, and in the summor sometimes 
a large number of swine. Corn and rye were purcha^d at from 
56 cts. to a dollar a bushel, the average being about 6o cts., and 
barley at from 75 cts. to a dollar. These works were erected 
and superintended by Wm. McAUaster, as agent for Geo. Parish, 
and afforded a home market for grain and cattle, which enabled 
farmers to pay for their lands much sooner than would otherwise 
have been possible, although the pernicious influence of this 
business upon the public morals, has doubtless been much greater 
than the benefits conferred. 

In 1834 a grist mill was built by Mr. Parish, near the distillery, 
which with the adjacent property was purchased by James Ster- 
ling, in 1846, and a furnace erected 28 feet square, and 32 feet 



Antwerp. 91 

high, which was at first fitted for the hot, but which has since 
1849 been run with the cold blast. It has been run upon ore 
from the Sterling mine in this town, only so much of other qua- 
lities of ore being used as is necessary for its proper reduction. 
Castings have not been made at the furnace, but a foundry has 
been got in operation near by, under the direction of other parties. 
This locality is about four miles from the mine, from which ore 
is drawn at 50 cts. per ton. A small village has grown up around 
the premises, which has acquired the local name of Sterlingburgh. 
There are, besides the furnace and mills, a plaster mill, and a 
few shops and dwellings. 

Antwerp Village is 6 miles from Philadelphia, 10 from The- 
resa, 7 from Ox Bow, 7 from Somerville, 16 from Carthage, 8 
from Sterlingville, 13 from Great Bend, and 22 from Watertown. 
The Potsdam and Watertown rail road, now building, passes 
through the village, and it has plank roads leading to Gouverneur, 
Rossie, Great Bend, and Carthage, each of which connect with 
others. 

The Village of Antwerp was incorporated under the general 
act, in pursuance of an order of the court of sessions, and con- 
firmed at a special election, held July 30, 1853, by a vote of 53 
to 3. The limits of the corporation embrace 660 acres of land. 
There are in the village, churches of the Baptist, Catholic, and 
Presbyterian orders, three hotels, six or seven stores, a great va- 
riety of mechanics, and about 500 inhabitants. 

The village of Ox Bow, near the north line of the town, is 
pleasantly situated on a remarkable bend of the Oswegatchie 
River, which gives name to the place. The first settler here was 
Peter Vrooman, from Johnstown, who located on the old state road, 
in the north part of the village, about 1803. From its being at 
the convergence of several important roads, which the natural 
features of the country compelled to pass here, it has, without 
other advantages, become a small village of two inns, two stores, 
a few mechanic shops, and forty or fifty families. It has a church, 
belonging to the Associate Reformed order. The scenery around 
this village is remarkably fine, and the shores of neighboring 
lakes, possess a romantic interest from the numerous problems in 
geology that they present. As an inviting field for the collection 
of minerals, this vicinity is unrivalled, and in our chapter on the 
mineral resources of the county, the species and varieties found 
here, will be enumerated. This village is on the plank road, 
between Antwerp and Hammond, and is the terminus of one 
leading to Evans' Mills and Watertown. It is 7 miles from Rossie, 
10 from Theresa, 16 from Evans' Mills, 11 from Philadelphia, 7 
from Antwerp, 4 from Somerville, and 8 from Gouverneur, by way 
of Wegatchie, or Church's Mills. About half a mile from the 



92 



Antwerp. 



village, on the plank road towards Evans' Mills, is a singular 
precipice of gneiss rock, sixty or seventy feet high and quite 
perpendicular, upon the face of which is the section of a remark- 
able excavation, similar to the pot holes found in lime stone 
rocks, and worn by the rotation of pebbles in water. The fol- 
lowing figure from Prof. Emmons's report on the geology of" the 
2nd district, represents accurately the shape of the excavation, 
but fails to impart an adequate idea of the grandeur of the as- 
sociated scenery. 




Pulpit Rock, near Ox Bow. 

When the settlements were new, meetings were, it is said, held 
at the foot of this cliff, the cavity serving as a pulpit, from 
whence was derived the name. 

for mineral wealth, Antwerp stands unrivaled in the county. 
Being underlaid mostly by primary rock, and the border of the 
lowest sedimentary formations, it ailbrds at. several points, mines 
that are wrought with great profit, and at others, strong indica- 
tions ot ores which have not been yet explored. Of minerals in- 
teresting to the man of science, but without practical value, the 
number is large. So much as relates to the history of these 
mines will be given here, while their geological relations will 
be detailed in our chapter on that subject. 



Antwerp. 93 

A quarry was opened in a ledge of gneiss, on the old state road, 
between Mr. Cook's place, and Ox Bow, in 1805, by David Cof- 
feen, and James Parker, for the manufacture of mill stones. The 
business was followed more or less, a part of each year, till about 
1828, during which time nearly 100 pair were made, and sold in 
adjoining counties, or sent westward. The price of a pair ready 
for hanging, was generally $100. Boulders of gneiss, wereoften 
used in making mill stones in the county, at an early clay, some 
of which were tound to answer a good purpose. 

Specular iron ore, had been wrought in the adjoining town of 
Rossie, since 1812, and many unsuccessful expenditures had been 
made in this, when, in 1836, a locality was reported to have been 
found on an island in the midst of a swamp, on the farm of Hope- 
still Foster, 3 miles north of Antwerp Village. This was covered 
by the landlord's reserve, but from the unsuccessful issue of all 
former trials in this town, Mr. Parish attached but little import- 
ance to the discovery, and for $200 sold his interest to James 
Sterling, and others. This, upon opening, has proved a mine of 
immense value, yielding ore of rich quality, and in unknown 
amount. The statistics of this mine can not be accurately ob- 
tained, but it has mainly supplied the furnace at Sterlingville 
since 1837, that at the distillery, since 1846, and for a year or 
two another at Sterlingsburh (Louisburgh), Lewis County, be- 
longing to Mr. Sterling. The ore is wrought by men hired by 
the month, and the mine is opened to the day. It is drained by 
horse pumps, but from its being surrounded by swamp, will always 
be incommoded by water, especially when the mine is sunk to a 
considerable depth. It has not hitherto been necessary to elevate 
the ore by machinery. About a half a mile south of this, is 
another mine, belonging to Parish, known as the White ore bed, 
from the owner of the farm where it occurs. One mile from 
Antwerp Village, on the farm of Nathan W. Ward, is another, 
which has been known to exist many years, but has been only 
worked since 1852. From 700 to 800 tons have, it is said, been 
taken from this mine. 

On the farm of Hiram B. Keene, a short distance from the 
county line, and in the same range with the great mines in Ros- 
sie, and Gouverneur, there were found about 1837, indications 
that led to the discovery of a mine, on land not covered by reserve. 
It was traced into a neighboring field, of which the land holder 
held the reserve, and heavy mining operations have been since 
conducted on both sides of the line but most extensively on that 
owned by Parish. The ore here dips at an angle of about forty 
five degrees, and is overlaid by a coarse sandstone, that is sup- 
ported by huge masses of ore, left by the miners. This mine is 
the only one of iron in this section of the state, that is wrought 



94 Antwerp. 

under ground by lamps. The portion first discovered, has been 
lately sold for $'3000. 

Marble of a coarse texture, but suited for many purposes of 
architecture, occurs in vast quantities in Antwerp, but no effort 
has hitherto been made to turn it to a useful account, further 
than as a material for lime, and a fiux for iron ores. Black and 
variegated Rensselaerite, and Serpentine, of fine quality, occur 
in town, and may hereafter be brought into use as ornamental 
marbles. Indications of copper ore have been found, but none 
in profitable quantities. Potsdam sandstone of a quality suited 
for the lining of furnaces, has been wrought extensively for this 
purpose on the farm of Mr. Keene, near the north line of the 
town. This town has three post offices, viz: Antwerp, Ox Bow 
and Bentley , s Comers, the latter being on the Ox Bow and 
Evans' Mills Plank Road, four miles from the former place. 

The Antwerp Delphic Library was formed March ]3, 1832, 
with Charles B. Hoard, Win. McAllaster, R. N. Randall, Sam'l 
Gains, and Levi Miller, trustees. It has, like most others of 
the class, been given up, since the formation of school district 
libraries. 

Religious Societies. The first house of worship in town, and 
the second one in the county, was built of brick, in the village 
of Antwerp, at the sole expense of Mr. Parish, in 1816-17, and 
was for many years occupied by different denominations. In 
March, 1849, it was sold to the Catholics, for $600, and has 
since been used by them alone. Our statistics of the denomina- 
tions in town is defective, from failure to receive facts that had 
been promised.* The first Presbyterian Society was formed 
April 29, 1819, with Silvius Hoard, John C. Foster, Wm. and 
Samuel Randall, Smith Copeland, and Luther Conklin, trustees. 
A church had been formed previously, and in June, IS 19, had 
been received into the St. Lawrence Presbytery, on the applica- 
tion of Rev. Ziba Tuttle, their minister. The society was re- 
organized October 5, 1824, with Hiram Murdcok, Benajah and 
William Randall, Zebina Smith, Jeremy Stimson, and Josiah 
Drake, Jr., trustees. Among the clergy, here, have been Cal- 
vin Wait, Rufus R. Deming, and others. Charles B. Pond is 
the present pastor. In 1850 the society erected, in the north 
part of the village, an elegant church edifice, that will compare 
favorably with any in the county. The Ox Bow Presbyterian 
Society of Antwerp and Rossie, was formed May 15, 1820, with 
Abraham Cooper, Abraham Lewis, Reuben Streeter, James 
Ormiston, James Douglas, Orren Matthews, Percival Hawley, 
and Abner Benton, trustees. A church was formed the same 

* See note in appendix. 



Brownville. 95 

summer, at first having about 40 members, which soon united 
with the St. Lawrence Presbytery, then embracing this county. 
It has since united with that of Ogdensburgh. The Rev. James 
Sandford was installed Sept. 5, 1820, and has been employed 
many years. The society have no house of worship. The 
Methodist Chapel of the first society in Antwerp, was formed 
Nov. 2, 1832, with Samuel Cook, Isaac Sprague, Wm. Chalor, 
Daniel and Wm. Shepard, Theodore Cross, George Lura, Asher 
Seymour, and Daniel Brown, trustees. The Sprague's Corner 
Methodist society was formed Jan. 12, 1837, with Elijah Steele, 
Jr., Abel Goodnough, Isaac Sprague, John Brown, Wm. Howe, 
Martin Mitchel, and Samuel Kelsey, trustees. They the same 
year built a chapel, at a cost of about $1,000. A Methodist 
society was formed at Ox Bow, May 14, 1833, with A. Lewis, 
Ira D. Shepherd, Wm. H. Collar, Samuel Bonfy, and Ebenezer 
Birdsley, trustees. They have never erected a church. 

A Baptist society was formed February 23, 1836, with David 
Manning, Obadiah Chamberlain, and Joseph Palmer, trustees, 
and has a church edifice in Antwerp village. An organization 
had been formed previously, which, in 1825, united with the 
Black River Association, and has since regularly reported. The 
Antwerp and Fowler Union Society (Baptist), was formed Sept. 
11, 1838, with Amos Sheldon, Alexander Wright, J. H. Boz- 
worth, Leonard Pike, Ansel Clark, and Moses Burge, trustees, and 
soon after built a church near the county line, at Steele's Corners. 

A Wesleyan Methodist society was formed Sept. 1, 1845, at 
Sprague's Corners, with Allen Woodward, Emor Bell, and Abel 
Goodnough, trustees. They have a small chapel. 

The Associate Reformed Church of Antwerp and Rossie, was 
formed at the Ox Bow, May 22, 1837, with Andrew Culbertson, 
John Barrow, Robert Darling, James Dickson, Wm. Turnbull, 
and Wm. Fleming, trustees. It was reorganized April 7, 1840. 
This society has a neat church edifice of stone, fronting on the 
public square in the village of Ox Bow. It is principally com- 
posed of Scotch emigrants, many families of whom are settled 
in this and the adjoining town of Rossie. 

Brownville. 

Was erected from Leyden, April 1, 1802, embracing all north 
of Black River, from a line running from the northwest corner 
of Champion, N. 45° E., to the southwesterly bounds of the 
county of St. Lawrence. The first town meeting was directed to 
be held at the house of Jacob Brown. Adams and Rutland were 
erected by the same act. It was named after Jacob Brown, after- 
wards Major General of the army, the first settler and general 
land agent. The first town meeting was held at the house of 



96 Brownville. 

Samuel and Jacob Brown, and adjourned to Brownville Hotel, 
March 1, 1803, at which the following town officers were elected: 
Jacob Brown, supervisor ; Isaac Collins, clerk; John W. Collins, 
Rich'd Smith, and Peter Pratt, assessors; J. VV. Collins, Ozias 
Preston, Samuel Starr, commissioners highways; O. Preston, 
Richardson Avery, Henry A. Delamater, Samuel Brown, Benj. 
Brown, Win. Rogers, Abijah Vutn&m, fence viewers; S. Brown, 
S. Starr, overseers of the poor; S. Brown, Sanford Langworthy, 
Caleb J. Bates, Sylvanus Fish, H. A. Delamate*', Fred'k Sprague, 
Geo. Waffle, Ethni Evans, pathmasters; J. W. Collins, H. A. 
Delamater, and S. Brown, poundmasters. 

Supervisors — 1803, Jacob Brown; 1804, 5, John W. Collins; 
1806, 7, Jacob Brown; 1808, J. W. Collins; 1809, 10, John 
Brown; 1811, 12, JosiahFarrar; 18 13, John Brown; 1814. Joseph 
Clark; 1815, John Brown; 1816, 17, Walter Cole; 1818, Geo. 
Brown Jr.; 1819, 20, Hoel Lawrence; 1821-28, Walter Cole; 
1829-33, Geo. Brown (of Perch River); 1834, 35, Aaron Shew; 
1836, 37, Walter Cole; 1838, Mahlon P. Jackson; 1839. 40, 
Alanson Skinner; 1841, Wm. Lord; 1842, 43, A. Skinner; 1844, 
45, Chas. B. Avery; 1846, A. Skinner; 1847, Chas. B. Avery; 
1848, Arba Strong; 1S49, Cyrus Allen; 1853, Tho's. L. Knapp, 
C.Allen, special meeting; 1851, Cyrus Allen; 1852, Samuel 
Middleton, 2nd; 1853, Charles K. Loomis. 

At a special meeting, Jan. 29, 1818, the town petitioned for a 
tax upon themselves of $2000, towards building a bridge at Wil- 
liamstown(Pamelia) Village, and another at Brownville Village. 
John Brown, Joseph Clark, and Thomas Loomis, were appointed 
commissioners for this purpose. In 1813 a law had also been 
passed for the erection of bridges, by a tax upon this and adjacent 
towns. 

During 15 years a poor tax has been voted, making an aggre- 
gate of $5,790, and in 1835 the poor money on hand was applied 
to schools. In 32 years, money has been raised for bridges, 
usually $250, per annum, and amounting to $9,050. In 1846 
money was raised to build a bridge over Perch River, near its 
mouth, and in 1835, 1848,49, 50, to build one at Fish Island, in 
the village of Dexter. 

Bounties on wolves of $5, were offered in 1807 — 1818; of $8 
in 1821; of $10 in 1806, 8, 9, 11, 12,20; of $15 in 1804, 
13, 19; of $20 in 18=15, 16; and of $25 in 1814, 17. Fox bounties 
of $1, in 1815,20, 21; of $2-50 in 1817, 19; and of 50 cts. in 
1833, were offered. In 1806 a bounty of 10, and in 1807 of $5 
was offered for panthers. 

At the annual town meeting in 1820, which was held at Perch 
River, after electing a portion of the officers, the meeting ad- 
journed to the house of Edward Arnold, on Penet Square, till the 



Brownville. 97 

next day. This measure created much excitement, and those 
living in the southern and eastern portions of the town, rallied 
with all their forces, attended promptly at the earliest moment 
of the adjourned meeting, organized, and immediately voted an- 
other adjournment to the house of Elias Bennet at Brownville 
Village, on the afternoon of the same day, where the vote for 
town clerk was reconsidered, and the remaining officers elected. 
Being thus robbed of their town meeting, the settlers on Penet's 
Square and in distant localities, demanded a separate organization, 
which was readily consented to, and all parties having met at an 
informal meeting, or convention, at the village, agreed upon a 
petition to the legislature, which was acted upon, before another 
town meeting. The foregoing is a concise statement of the act 
of "stealing a town meeting" which gave rise to much talk at 
the time, and about which many fabulous stories have been re- 
lated. It is said that this heinous crime of robbery was made the 
subject of a painting, that formed a part of a traveling exhibition. 

At the town meeting, in 1821, the clerk read three notices for 
the division of the town, which were not voted. The first was 
to annex a part of Brownville to Pamelia; the second, a part of 
Brownville to Le Ray, and the third to erect four new towns 
from Brownville and Le Ray. In 1822, a motion to annex Pa- 
melia to Brownville was defeated. 

This town was first explored, with a view of settlement, by 
Jacob Biown, afterwards a distinguished citizen, who, while 
teaching a school in New York, had met with Rodolph Tillier, 
the general agent for the Chassanis lands, and was induced to 
purchase a large tract, and become the agent for commencing a 
settlement, at a time when the difficulties attending such an en- 
terprise were very great. Having engaged in this business, he 
repaired in February, 1799, to the location of the French com- 
pany, at the High Falls, and made several journeys to Utica, 
when, having completed his arrangements, and collected provis- 
ions at the Long Falls, he in March, 1799, passed down the old 
French road, in company with three or four hired men, and hap- 
pening to reach the river at the mouth of Philomel Creek, he 
was charmed with the prospect of a w r ater power, apparently 
perennial, and at once decided upon stopping here. He com- 
menced clearing land, having sent for his father's family, who 
started on the 22d of April, from Bucks County, Pa., and after 
stopping a few days at New York and Schenectady, and hiring 
at Utica an extra boat, at length arrived at the location on the 
17th of May, 1799, having been nearly three weeks on the road. 
George Brown, a relative, came on in the same, company, with 
a part of his family, making, with the boatmen, a party of 
nearly twenty. The boatmen soon returned, leaving one boat 



98 Brownville. 

that served the means for communication with Kingston, from 
whence they derived most of their provisions, the stock left at 
the Long Falls having been sold. When this company had ar- 
rived, the first had cleared a small piece, and got up the body 
of a log house, twenty feet square, which occupied the site of 
the hay scales on the edge of the bank, in the village, and the 
same season they put up the body of a two-story log house, 25 
by 30, on the ground now covered by the store of Win. Lord. 
This was not, however, completed for occupation till the spring 
of 1S01. In the fall of 1800 a saw mill was built at the mouth 
of Philomel Creek, the millwrights being Noah Durrin and Eb- 
enezer Hills, and late in the fall of 1801 a grist mill was built 
for Mr. Brown, by Ethni Evans, afterw r ards the pioneer of 
Evans' Mills. A few goods were brought on with the first family, 
but in the fall of the same year, Jacob Brown went to New 
York, on other business, and selected a small stock better adapt- 
ed to the market. In 1799, a great number came in to look for 
lands, many of whom selected farms on Perch River, and between 
that place and Brownville, where they commenced small clear- 
ings, and made arrangements for removal with their families in 
the spring. Among these were John W. Collins, Richardson 
Avery, Nathan Parish, Horace Mathers, and others. In the 
summer of 1800, a great number settled, and the clearings had 
extended from the bank of the river nearly half a mile. The 
first settlers on Perch River incurred an obligation to cleara cer- 
tain amount of land, and build a house. 

The first bridge at Brownville was built at a cost of $ 1,000, 
on subscription, by Oliver Bartholomew, in the summer of 1802. 
It was below the present mills, at the mouth of Philomel Creek, 
and being swept off in a flood in 1806, was in 1807 rebuilt by 
the same person, at the present bridge. The village, in Sept., 
]S05, contained 25 houses, and was rapidly improving, and the 
next year a dam was first built across Black River at this place, 
a little below the present dam. John Brown (afterwards Judge 
Brown), a brother of Jacob, at an early day bought the lands 
adjacent to the village, south of the river, and erected mills. 
The mills and store were at first owned by Jacob Brown, and his 
father, Samuel* but afterwards his brother of that name became 
the merchant. The village for some years grew more rapidly 
than any in the county, and until after the location of the public 
buildings at Walertown, it exhibited more thrift and business 
than that place. Much importance was attached, at an early 
day, to the navigation of Black River below this place, which 
was naturally difficult, on account of a rapid at Fish Island (now 
Dexter's), and in 1810 an act was passed, incorporating the 

*S. Brown, Sen., died at Brownville Sept. 24, 1813. 



Brownville. 99 

Black River Navigation Company, of which it appears, from 
a paper recorded in the clerk's office June 5, 1810, that the fol- 
lowing persons were subscribers, with the number of shares, at 
$10, taken by each: Samuel Brown, Jr., 20; Jacob Brown, 35; 
Micah Sterling, 10; Benjamin Skinner, 10; John Brown, 20; 
Wra. M. Lord, 20; Judah Williams, 10; Samuel Starr, 20; Jo- 
seph Starling, 10; Win. Hunter, 10; Richard M. Esselstyn, 10; 
James Shields, 5; Gersham Tuttle, 5; Thomas M. Converse, 5; 
Amasa Trowbridge, 10. The commissioners were Ethel Bronson, 
John Brown, Wm. M. Lord and Thomas M. Converse. On the 
Sth of March, 1811, the company received an amendment of 
their charter, by which the president and directors were to ap- 
point a collector, who should receive from every boat of live 
tons and upwards, 25 cents per ton, and for small boats not more 
than 50 cents per ton, for going and returning, provided the re- 
ceipts shall not exceed 14 per cent on the capital invested. 
The company was required to finish their work within three 
years, and were empowered to dispose of their surplus water as 
they might see fit. In 1812, and 1815, the time for completing 
the work was extended, and in the latter year wooden locks were 
built, sufficient to allow the passage of Durham boats. By an 
advertisement in the Sackets Harbor Gazette, dated May 1, 
1817, the public was informed that no higher tolls than 50 cents 
would be collected on a boat passing the locks. About 1828 
the project of building a steam boat, to ply between Brownville 
and ports on the river and lake, being in discussion, stone locks 
were built in place of the wooden ones, which had decayed. 
The steamer Brownville was built in the summer of 1827 by a 
company, the original parties of which were Turner & Dodd, 
but Wm. S. Ely, Wm. Lord, Edmund Kirby and Hoel Lawrence, 
of this place, with parties in Oswego and Ogdensburgh, became 
afterwards interested, from having made advances. It had a 
keel 80 feet, beam 20 feet, and depth of hold 6 h feet, with a bur- 
den of 100 tons, and engines of 35 to 40 horse power. She was 
built at the village, on the north side, and having with difficulty 
passed the locks, was burned to the water's edge, on her first 
trip to Ogdensburgh, but was run upon an island, and her crew 
saved. The hull was towed back to Brownville, and rebuilt by 
Capt. E. B. Dodd, and after a short time was sold at Sackets 
Harbor, and the name changed to the William Jivery. The vil- 
lage of Dexter, six miles from Sackets Harbor, has long since 
been regarded as the head of navigation on Black River. 

On the announcement of the declaration of war, Brownville 
became the seat of much activity and excitement, from its being 
the head quarters of General Brown, who had the personal di- 
rection of military operations on this frontier during most of 



100 Bruwnville. 

the first season. A hospital was established here, and troops 
were stationed in the village and vicinity at various times during 
that period. The greatest alarm prevailed throughout the 
country upon the arrival of the first tidings of war. but this 
soon wore away. 

The inhabitants living on Perch River, on receiving the news of 
the war, were greatly alarmed, from their supposed exposure on 
the frontier, and some of the timid ones resolved to leave the coun- 
try. To dissuade them from this, it was proposed to build a block 
house, which was forthwith done by voluntary labor, but when 
completed, only served as a storehouse for the wheat of a neigh- 
bor. Some ridiculing the idea of danger, humorously proposed 
to Dost themselves on the brow of some of the limestone ledges 
towards Catfish Creek, in the direction of Canada, which would 
give them the double advantages of a commanding position, 
and an abundance of material for missies, in case of attack. 
This had its effect, and after a few weeks' reflection the idea of 
Indian massacre was forgotten. It will be remembered that 
many of the older inhabitants had realized in their youth the 
horrors of Indian warfare, and the tales of midnight massacre 
which they related as they assembled on evenings for mutual 
safety, enhanced, in no small degree, this timidity. Still the 
alarms which prevailed in this county were far less than those 
that spread through the St. Lawrence settlements, and as after- 
wards appeared in Canada itself, where nearly every family 
alono- the river had been fugitives from the desolating hand of 
war, from their adherence to the royal cause in the revolution. 
The apprehensions of both parties soon subsided, and men re- 
sumed their customary pursuits, except when occasional drafts, 
or general alarms, called out the militia, or the emergencies of 
the service required the assembling of teams for the transporta- 
tion of munitions of war. Prices of produce were, of course, 
extremely high, and from the large amount of government money 
expended here, the basis of many fortunes in the county were 
laid at that period. 

On the 16th of April, 1828, the public was aroused by the report 
of a murder, committed in the Perch River settlement in this town, 
by Henry Evans, upon Joshua Rogers and Henry Diamond, in an 
affair growing out of an attempt to forcibly eject Evans without 
legal formality from premises leased by a brother of Rogers. A 
family quarrel had for some days existed in the Rogers' family, 
in which Evans had taken a part, and at the time of the murder 
the parties had been drinking, and were unusually quarrelsome. 
Evans had shut himself up in his house, which was forcibly 
entered, with threats and abusive language, upon which he 
seized an axe, and mortally wounded two, and badly wounded 



BrotcnviHe. 101 

a third, who recovered. He was immediately arrested, and at 
the June term of the court of Oyer and Terminer, in 1828, was 
tried, the court consisting of Nathan Williams, circuit judge, 
Egbert Ten Eyck, first judge, Joseph Hawkins, judge, Robert 
Lansing, district attorney, H. H. Sherwood, clerk, H. H. Cotfeen, 
sheriff. The district attorney was assisted by Mr. Clarke, and 
the prisoner was defended by Messrs. Sterling, Bronson, and 
Rathbone. The vicious temper and abandoned character of the 
prisoner, who, whether drunk or sober, had been the terror of his 
neighborhood, outweighed the extenuating circumstances of the 
case, and the jury, after half an hour's deliberation, returned a 
verdict of guilty. He was sentenced to be hung, August 22d, 
and he was executed in the presence of an immense crowd, who 
had assembled to witness the barbarous spectacle, from this and 
adjoining counties. The gallows was placed on the north bank 
of the river, nearly opposite the Court House. His body was 
taken by his friends to Brownville, and a grave dug in the ceme- 
tery, when objections were raised, and one person swore that he 
should not be buried there. Another place was then got, but 
the rock was reached in two feet. A grave was next dug just 
outside of the corporate limits, when as he was about to be 
lowered, objections were again raised, and one or two women 
were seized with hysteric fits, because the locality was in sight. 
The corpse was finally taken back three or four miles from the 
village and buried by night. The lamentable prevalence of 
superstition thus evinced, has its equal only in the popular belief 
in vampires, which, on more than one occasion, has disgraced 
the annals of this and neighboring counties. 

The Village of Brownville was incorporated April 5, 1828. 
The act provided for the election of five trustees, three assessors, 
one treasurer, one collector and one constable annually, on the 
first Monday in May. The trustees were vested with the usual 
powers in relation to a fire department, assessments for internal 
improvements, &c. The following officers were chosen at the 
first election: Thomas Loomis, Jr., Hoel Lawrence, George 
Brown, Peleg Burchard and Tracy S. Knapp, trustees; Win, S. 
Ely, Asa Whitney, Wm. Lord, assessors; John A. Cathcart, 
treasurer; James Shields, collector; Levi Torrey, constable. 

Trustees of Brownville Village. — Those in italics were elected 
Presidents: 

1829, Wm. S. Ely, Joel Blood, Joshua Heminway, Daniel 
Case, Hiram Mills. 

1830, Derrick Gibbons, Elias Bennett, Hoel Lawrence, Wm. 
S. Ely, J. Heminway. 

1831, H. Lawrence, J. Blood, Levi Torry, Wm. Hardy, Ed- 
mund Kirby. 



102 Brownvitte. 

1832, Edmund Kirby , Amos R. Avery, Alanson Skinner, L. 
Torrey, G. Brown. 

1833, Wm. Lord, Wm. McCullock, J. Heminway, J. Blood, 
Apollos Huntington. 

1834, George Brown, E. Kirby, Wm. S. Ely, James Ballard, 
John A. Cathcart. 

1835, Arba Strong, G. Brown, J. Blood, J. Heminway, D. 
Gibbons. 

1836, Alanson Skinner, J. Blood, Arba Strong, John Bradley, 
J. Heminway. 

1837, J. Heminway, Judah Lord, A. Strong, A. Huntington, 
A. Skinner. 

1838, J. Blood, A. Skinner, A. Strong, D. Gibbons, Jesse 
Ayers. 

1839, James Shields, A. Skinner, Henry Lord, D. Gibbons, 
Daniel Case. 

1840, Thomas Loomis, A. Skinner, A. Strong, Wm. Lord, 
James R. Bates. 

1841, Wm. Lord, Tho's L. Knapp, A. Huntington, Daniel 
Case, John E. Brown. 

1843, Chas. K. Loomis, Edward Munson, Gilderoy Lord, 
John S. Chase, Geo. A. McKenzie 

1844, John Bradley, J. Blood, J. E. Brown, Gideon Tilling- 
hast, Arba Strong. 

, 1845, Arba Strong, A. Skinner, D. Gibbons, Cha's P. Plumb, 
Apollos Huntington. 

1846, M. C. Loomis, S. W. Fields, D. Ainsworth, Alex'r 
Brown, C. P. Plumb. 

1S47, John E. Brown, A. Skinner, A. Strong, Ja's Shields, 
Joel G. Stacy. 

1848, E. Kirby. T. S. Knapp, A. Strong, J. Ayres. J. Bradley. 

1849, T. S. Knapp, E. Kirby, A. Strong, W T m. Lord, A. Skin- 
ner. 

1850, C. K. Loomis, Sam'l W. Field, G. Lord, J. Brown 
Kirby, H. Russ. 

1851, J. B. Kirby, G. Lord, L. W. Field, Heman Russ, Mor- 
rison C. Loomis. 

1852, James I. Hunt, G. Lord, J. B. Kirby, Heman Russ, 
Gustavus Codman. 

1853, Jesse Ayres, S. W. Field, W. B. Lord, Jame^ Skinner, 
Henry Lord. 

The village of Brownville, from its vicinity to lake navigation, 
was early considered an eligible point for the establishment of 
factories, and the enormous prices to which cotton goods had risen 
in consequence of the war, led to the plan of forming a cotton 
factory at this place. In 1811, a general act had been passed, 



Brownville. 103 

for the encouragement of manufacturers, and availing themselves 
of this, a company was formed Feb. 9, 1814, of which the fol- 
lowing was the instrument of association: 

"This may certify that we, the subscribers, have formed our- 
selves into a company, by the name and style of The Brownville 
Manufacturing Company, for the purpose of manufacturing 
cotton and wool, with a capital of $100,000, consisting of 
1,000 shares, under the direction of five trustees, viz: John 
Paddock, John Brown, Thomas Loomis, Jr., Thomas J. Whiteside, 
and Hoel Lawrence, who shall manage the concerns of said 
company, for one year, from the date hereof, in the town of 
Brownville, in the County of Jefferson." 

J. Paddock, J. Brown, T. Looinis, Jr., T. J. Whiteside, H. 
Lawrence, Henry Win. Channing, William S. Ely, Silas Jay, 
F. J\ r . Smith. 

They soon began the erection of a factory, which commenced 
operations the next year; but after a few months, finding they 
were losing money, they stopped, and the factory lay idle several 
years. It was subsequently bought by parties from Cooperstown, 
who procured an act incorporating the Brownville Cotton Fac- 
tory, April 6, 1831. Elizur Fairman, John A. Cathcart, Charles 
Smith, and such as might associate with them w T ere by this con- 
stituted a body corporate for the manufacture of cotton and 
woolen goods, with a capital of $100,000, in shares of $50. 
The affairs were to be managed by three trustees, elected annu- 
ally, on the second Monday of April, the first being those named 
in the act, which was to continue twenty years. In 1842, this 
company was succeeded by a partnership, consisting of Charles 
Smith and William H. Averil, of Cooperstown, and F. W. 
Andrews; styled the Ontario Cotton Factory, which has since 
continued. It has 3,200 spindles, and 80 looms; and gives 
employment to about ninety hands. 

A company, styled the Jefferson Lead Manufacturing Co. 
Avith a capital of $15,000, was formed June 30, 1838, chiefly 
under the direction of Thomas L. Knapp; and the business of 
manufacturing white lead and lithic paints continued with 
varied suceess about twelve years. Since the death of Mr. 
Knapp, which occurred from cholera, at Pittsburgh, in ]851, the 
business has been abandoned. It was found to be extremely 
injurious to the health of the laborers, both the carbonate of lead, 
and the carbonic acid generated from charcoal for its manufac- 
ture, being directly poisonous to the system. 

A woolen factory owned by Bradley and Brown, was burnt in 
January 1846, with a machine shop, flax mill and other property. 
The village of Brownville affords a great amount of water power, 
which is at present but partly improved by two grist mills, a saw 



104 Brownvittc. 

mill, clothing works, cotton factory, two extensive foundries and 
machine shops, saleratus factory cabinet shop &c. 

In many respects this village presents superior advantages for 
manufacturing establishments, as it has a direct communication 
by rail road with the markets, real estate is cheap, and the sur- 
rounding country affords in abundance, the means for supporting 
a large population. At several points between this village and 
Watertown, fine opportunities for water power exist, which are 
at present entirely unimproved. At one of these, 1^ miles above 
this village, Mr. James Wood, originally from New Hampshire, 
about 1830, began the erection of a dam and woolen factory, 
which had been nearly completed, and partly stocked with ma- 
chinery, when it was swept off by the spring flood of 1833, prov- 
ing a total loss to the owner. 

At the head of Black River Bay, and favored by the double 
advantages of a fine water power and convenient harbor, is the 
village of Dexter, named in compliment to S. Newton Dexter of 
Whitesboro, who has been extensively interested in the business 
of the place, which formerly bore the name of Fish Island. The 
lands in this vicinity were early purchased by John and Jacob 
Brown, who in 1811, commenced a dam, that was swept off, but 
rebuilt, and a saw mill was got in operation in February 1813. 
A large amount of lumber was made here during the war, for use 
at Sackets Harbor, and in 1815-16, wooden locks were built of 
sufficient size to admit boats 60 feet long and 13 feet wide to 
pass. About 1826, a grist mill was built by John E. Brown, and 
in 1S37, the place contained a dozen houses. 

A joint stock company styled the Dexter Village Company, 
was formed March 1, 1837, for the purpose of laying out a vil- 
lage on a tract of 249 acres south, and 800 acres north of the 
river. The original members of the company, were, Edmund 
Kirby, S. N. Dexter, John Williams, John Bradley, and J. Brown. 
In 1840, the company commenced making dividends of the prop- 
erty, and on the 6th of Jan. 1846, it was finally dissolved. 

On the 7th of November 1836,the Jefferson Woolen Comoany was 
formed with $' 100,000 capital, in shares of $100. It originally 
consisted of S. N. Dexter, of Whitesboro, John Williams of 
Utica, Edmund Kirby, and John Bradley, of Brownville, Rodney 
Burt, and O. V. Brainard, of Watertown. The number of stock- 
holders was 59. In 1837 this company built the present extensive 
woolen factory, at a cost, including appendages and machinery, 
of $140,000, capital paid in $96,000. This enormous expen- 
diture, with the low prices which followed, could not be sustained, 
and in January 1842, the company failed, with liabilities exceed- 
ing assets of $33,000. The property was sold, and bid off by a 
new company, styled the Jefferson Manufacturing Company 



Brownville. 105 

formed in Feb. 1842, with a capital of $50,000, which is still in ope- 
ration. The main building is of stone, 50 by 170 feet, and four 
stories high, besides attic and basement, and is stocked with seven 
sets of cards, and a proportionate amount of machinery. The 
building is of sufficient capacity to accommodate ten sets. It 
makes from 7000 to S000 yards per month, and has been for a 
year or two run upon contract. It employs about 75 hands, and 
since the beginning has been principally employed in making 
broadcloths and cassimeres. 

The joint benefits of navigation and hydraulic privileges, have 
made Dexter a place of some importance. Besides the factory, 
there are three saw mills, a grist mill, with four run of stones, 
plaster mills, several establishments for turning, and manufactures 
of wood, and about 600 inhabitants. It has churches of the 
Episcopal, Universalis!, and Presbyterian orders, and is the seat 
of a custom house. It has been a place of ship building to some 
extent; about a dozen schooners, the propellers James Wood, and 
Clifton, and the steamer Telegraph, having been built here. 
Extensive appropriations made by the general government, at 
about the time of the erection of the factory, were expended in 
the construction of piers at the mouth of the river, for the im- 
provement of the harbor. A cemetery association was formed 
under the general law Sept. 21, 1849, with James A. Bagley, 
Philander J. Welch, Sylvester Reed, Joseph D. Beals, Francis 
W. Winne, James A. Bell, Henry Bailey, and Francis Broad- 
bennett, trustees. 

By an act of April 8, 1836, a tax of $500 was directed to be 
laid upon Houndsfield, and a like sum upon Brownville, for the 
erection of a bridge over Black River at this place. 

Limerick , on Perch River, \\ miles from Dexter, where the 
W T . & R. railroad crosses the stream, and on the old turnpike, is 
a small village, of a store, tavern, depot, and about a dozen dwel- 
lings; mills were built here at an early day, by Nelson, and after- 
wards owned by Shelley. The dam was found to flow the flats 
above, and render them sickly, when it was presented by the grand 
jury as a nuisance, and removed by order of the court. It was 
afterwards built below. From its central position, this place has 
been selected for holding town meetings for the last thirty years. 

Perch River, in this town, from the lake of that name to Lim- 
erick, meanders through a flat, which originally was flowed by 
several beaver dams, and in the early settlement of the country 
was too w r et for cultivation, and gave rise to sickness from ma- 
laria. The evil was increased by a dam at Limerick. An act 
of March 30, 1827, authorized John Baxter, Abner Smith and 
Isaac Moffatt, to remove the bar or reef of rocks at the head of 
the rapids in Perch River, to drain the lands, and in the March 

8 



106 BrownviUe. 

term of the circuit court, in 1829, the dam was decided as a 
nuisance, and directed to be destroyed. The summer of 1828, 
had been one of general sickness, near the river, there being 
scarcely well ones enough to care for the sick. The evil still 
continuing, an act was passed May 26, 1841, providing for the 
draining of the drowned lands, by a tax upon the property to be 
benefited, and Nicholas Lawyer, John Cole, Jr., Paul Anthony, 
Daniel Allen and Jno. Webb, were appointed commissioners for 
carrying the act into effect. The lake has been lowered two feet 
by improvements since made; lands before covered with wild 
grass have been brought under cultivation, and the locality has 
since been considered healthy. Several thousand acres were 
taxed, at first 14, and afterward 20 cents per acre, to effect these 
improvements. Adjacent to Perch Lake in Orleans, is an ex- 
tensive cranberry marsh, the surface of which is a quaking bog. 

Moffattville (Perch River P. 0.), on the west bank of Perch 
River, three miles from Limerick, is a hamlet of a dozen houses, 
a Union church, inn, two stores, and a few shops. It is in the 
midst of a highly cultivated district, but destitute of water power. 

Pillar Point, between Chaumont and Black River bays, owes 
its name to the peculiar manner in which the waters of the lake 
have worn grottoes in the cliffs, within tervening masses left, 
supporting the rock above. The shores of this point have 
afforded important seine fisheries, and at a small village locally 
named Brooklyn, opposite Sackets Harbor, is the post office of 
Pillar Point, a Methodist Church, and a small collection of shops 
arid dwellings. This point has been somewhat important for its 
ship building. 

The BrownviUe Library, was formed under the general act, 
Feb. 10, 1807, with John Brown, John Baxter, Henry Cowley, 
John Simonds, Stephen Stanley, Isaac Pearse, and Thomas Y. 
Howe, trustees. This, and a subsequent association, have long 
since been dissolved. 

Religious Societies. — A Presbyterian church was organized 
March 18, 1818, of eight members, Elam Clark, and Mr. Vander- 
bogart, being chosen elders. On the 10th of February, 1819, it 
was admitted to the Presbytery, and Sept. 14, 1820, the Rev. 
Noah M. Wells, was installed pastor. In the same year, the 
present stone church owned by the Episcopal society, was built 
as a union church, being largely owned by Presbyterians. The 
first trustees of this property, were Samuel Brown, H. Lawrence, 
Thomas Loomis, Jr., Win. N. Lord, and George Brown, Jr. In 
1824, there occurred a revival under the preachings of the Rev. 
Charles G. Finney, during, and subsequent to which, an unpleas- 
ant division arose, and several influential citizens, taking excep- 
tions at what they deemed the extravagance to which these pro- 



Brownville. 107 

ceedings were carried, united in an Episcopal organization, under 
the Rev. Wra. Linn Keese, who had been sent by Bishop Hobart 
upon application being made to him for that purpose. A legal 
society, under the name of St. Paul's Church, was formed Oct. 

13, 1826, of which T. Y. Howe, and T. Loomis, were chosen 
wardens, and Asa Whitney, Tracy S. Knapp, Sylvester Reed, S. 
Brown, Wm S. Ely, Peleg Burchard, Edmund Kirby, and Hoel 
Lawrence, vestrymen. Finding that the members of this society 
owned a majority of the stock in the church, which had been 
built by those of different, orders, the remainder was purchased, 
and having been previously dedicated, by the Presbyterians, was 
fitted up and consecrated by the bishop, Aug. 12, 1828. Mr. 
Keese's successors have been Ezekiel G. Gear (Feb. 1831), A. C. 
Treadway (ofS. Harbor, not settled), Ferdinand Rodgers (Aug. 
1837), William H. Hill, Nov. 1846, and George B. Eastman, 
(Oct. 1851), the present rector. In 1834, the church received 
from Trinity Church New York, $500. This church reported in 
1853, 64 families and 292 individuals, belonging to the congre- 
gation, of whom 92 are communicants. 

Jill Saints Church in Dexter (Episcopal) was organized July 

14, 1839, with John Bradley, and Gillman Wood, wardens, and 
Edmund Kirby, Jesse Babcock, Ora Haskill, Solon Stone, James 
A. Bell, Andrew Wood, Israel J. Griffin, and Robert Anderson, 
vestrymen. They have erected a church edifice and are com- 
monly supplied by the same clergyman as the church at Brown- 
ville. The last report gives a total of 28 families, and 128 indi- 
viduals, belonging to it. 

The Presbyterians, on the 16th of May, 1825, organized a so- 
ciety with L. Gibson, S. Reed, and Wm. Clark, trustees, and in 
January, 1S29, it was again organized. In 1832 a church edi- 
fice was built, at a cost of $2,000, and in ten years was burnt. 
In 1844 the present Presbyterian church in Brownville village 
was built, at a cost of $1,600, and in 1852 a session house ad- 
joining, at a cost of $350. The clergy have been, Noah W. 
W T ells, James R. Boyd, John Sessions, E. H. Snowden, Dexter 
Clary, Calvin Yale, O. P. Conklin, S. M. W T ood and Sylvester 
Holmes, the latter being the present pastor of this church and 
one at Dexter. 

A Presbyterian church was organized at the latter place in 
1839, by the W T atertown Presbytery, of eighteen members. A 
society was formed Sept. 24, 1842, with Joshua Eaton, Joseph 
Huntington, David H. Freeman, Harvey Crocker, and Levi 
Smith, trustees. A church was built in 1843-6, and the clergy 
have been Messrs. Conklin, W T ood, Whitney and Holmes, being 
generally the same as those at Brownville. The present num- 
ber belonging to this church is fifty -nine, of whom eighteen 
are males. 



108 BrownviUe. 

The BrownviUe Baptist church (at Perch River), was organ- 
ized September 7, 1806, and at an ecclesiastical council, held 
at the house of John W. Collins, October 10, they were fellow- 
shipped by delegates from Champion, Rutland and Adams. It 
at first numbered ten members. Elder Sard is Little was or- 
dained over this church January 10, 1816, and preached many- 
years. A society was legally organized April 25, 1825, at 
which Melvin Moffatt, Walter Cole, George Brown, Nathaniel 
Peck, and William Webb were chosen trustees. It was reor- 
ganized February 11, 1833. In 1827 they erected their present 
stone church, at a cost of $2,800. Previous to 1812 they had 
built a log church, and in the war enclosed it with pickets, but 
the defense was never completed. Here the timid ones of the 
settlement were accustomed, in the early days of the w r ar, to 
spend the night, enhancing each other's fpars by relating tales of 
massacre, but these apprehensions were ridiculed by the more 
reflective, and were soon laid aside. A Baptist church was 
formed on Pillar Point in 1838, and the next year reported thirty 
members. No returns have been made from this church for the 
last four years. A society was formed September 22, 183S, with 
S. Howard, G. C. Persons, Hiram A. Bead, Solomon Ingalls, 
Elisha Harris, and Samuel R. Campbell, trustees. 

The Moral and Religious Society of Perch River was formed 
March 19, 1851. Silas F. Spicer, Archibald Sternberg, John 
Cole, Lucius M. W T ebb, and Charles B. Avery, were chosen 
trustees. A union church was built in 1851 by this society, at 
a cost of $1,500. 

A Methodist society was formed in BrownviUe, August 3, 
1829, with Joshua Heminway, Henry W. Chapman, Samuel 
Knapp, Isaac Meacham, William Lord, and Daniel Case, trus- 
tees. In 1832 they erected the present church, in the village. 
The first Methodist Episcopal church of Pillar Point was organ- 
ized January 9, 1836, the first trustees being Isaac Luther, John 
D. Ingerson, Smith Luther, Lyman Ackerman, and Stephen P. 
Bracket! It has been once or twice reorganized. 

The first Universalist society of Dexter was formed September 
5, 1841, with John Maynard, Thomas Broadbent, Solon Stone, 
David Barker, Francis W. Winne, and Eleazer Parker, trustees. 
A church was built the same season, at a cost of about $1,300, 
and dedicated December 23, 1841, sermon by Rev. Pitt Morse. 
Rev. H. L. Hayward (January 1, 1842), was employed as the 
first clergyman. He was succeeded by G. S. Abbott (from No- 
vember, 1842, to January 1, 1846). J. Wendall, C. A. Skinner, 
William McNeal, Lyman Perry, and Asa Sax, have been em- 
ployed by the society, generally on alternate sabbaths, at sala- 
ries of $150 to $200. The first Universalist society of Brown- 



Cape Vincent. 109 

ville was formed December 17, 1851, with Alanson Skinner, 
Henry Lord, William Lord, Lewis Maynard, George Brown, and 
Heman Russ, trustees. In 1852-3, they erected a church in the 
village of Brownville. 

Cape Vincent. 

This town was named from its principal village, and the lat- 
ter from Vincent he Ray, a son of the landholder, who owned, 
at an early day, this town and many others in the county. It 
was erected from Lyme, April 10, 1849, embracing all west of 
a line running from the mouth of Little Fox Creek, N., 48|° E., 
646 chains; thence N. 57° E., 235*56 chains, to the town of 
Clayton. The first town meeting was directed to be held at the 
house of Jacob Berringer, at which the following officers were 
first elected: Frederick A. Folger, supervisor; John W. Little, 
clerk; William H. Webb, superintendent of schools; J. Ber- 
ringer, Augustus Awberton, Barney W. Payne, justices of the 
peace; E. Clement, collector; John H. Lawton, Adam A. Gray, 
assessors; Buel Fuller, commissioner highways; Francis A. 
Cross, overseer of poor. 

The Supervisors have been, in 1849, F. A. Folger; 1850-1, 
Robert C. Bartlett; ] 852, Charles Smith; 1853, Otis P. Starkey. 

This town is the oldest in settlement in the county, Carlton 
Island having been occupied by a British fort for a long period 
before the adjacent country had been purchased and colonized. 
As the title of this island possesses considerable interest, we will 
give in this connection some details that were not noticed in the 
chapter on titles. The island was reserved by the state, in 
their cession to Macomb. 

A military bounty, or class right, was issued to Wm. Rich- 
ardson, a sergeant in the New York line of the revolutionary 
war. Matthew Watson and William Guilland became the pur- 
chasers of this right, and on the 2d of October, 1786, located 
the same on Carlton Island, generally. The land commissioners 
sanctioned this location, but inserted the condition that it should 
be void if the island in the division should fall to Canada. 
Guilland sold his right to Watson, who died leaving three child- 
ren, John, Margaret and Jane, two of whom (John and Jane) 
died without issue, leaving their sister Margaret their heir-at- 
law, who married one Jacob Ten Broeck, and these sold their 
right to Charles Smyth. 

This subject came before the legislature in 1821, and from the 
report of the committee,* it appears that previous to, and since 
1786, till 1812, the island had been held by the British, so that 

* Assembly Papers, Miscellaneous, Vol. XI, P. 264, Secretary*! office. 



110 Cape Vincent. 

it was not in the power of the proprietor of the class right to 
have a survey made, according to the location, as is provided 
by the statute, and to sue out letters patent within the time lim- 
ited by law. Hence the necessity of special legislation, and the 
surveyor general, to whom the question was referred, advised 
that the title should not be prejudiced by reason of the lapse of 
time between the location and application for a patent. Smyth 
also applied for the purchase of the remainder, in all about 1200 
acres, and the committee ascertaining that twelve families were 
located there, and that depredations were being made upon the 
timber, for which cause they advised a compliance with the re- 
quest. An act was passed March 2, 1821, directing a patent to 
be issued for 500 acres from the west end of the island. 

Mr. F. R. Hasler, the distinguished mathematician, who for 
many years had charge of the coast survey, and was then resi- 
ding in town on the south shore opposite, was appointed to sur- 
vey the island, in 1823, and from his report,* we quote the 
following remarks. 

" There are about 30 acres of old improved land near the 
south shore, called the King's Garden, which are very good land, 
the higher part is somewhat stoney, yet not impeding the plow- 
ing. The timber generally young, second growth, beech, maple, 
oak, birch, hickory, and a few pines. Value $5, without the 
improvements." This lot was about midway between the two 
extremities on the south side, and a hundred chains from the 
westerly point of the island. At the time of the survey there 
were 8 log houses and 2 shanties on the island, with 197 
acres cleared, and improvements worth $1,020. The total 
area was 1,274 acres, mostly prized at $4 per acre. The 
map made by Mr. Hasler, in the state engineer and surveyor's 
office (No. 266) represents the outline of Fort Carlton, as it 
then existed, and must continue till the end of time, as the 
excavation that formed the moat was made 




after the war, an important lumbering==j 

station, the bays at the head of the island 

affording a convenient and sheltered place for the making up of 

rafts. Avery Smith, a Canadian, located here in this business 

in 1822, and formed a partnership with Abijah Lewis. They 

afterwards dissolved partnership, and continued the business 

separately. Schools were established here, a store opened, and 

* Field Book, No. 30, p. 18, State Engineer's Office. 



Cape Vincent. Ill 

twenty or thirty families settled. By an act of April 17th, 
1822, a justice of the peace was directed to be appointed. Mr. 
— Shumway was the only one who held the office here. In 
1824-5, the business of the place began to decline, and but two 
families were residing on the island in June, 1853. There is 
scarcely among the lovely scenery of the islands, a more de- 
lightful spot than that occupied by the ruins here, and the fruit 
trees grovying abundantly without cultivation in the vicinity, 
evince that the former occupants paid some attention to this 
branch of husbandry. The trees appear to have sprung from 
those planted by the English. The earliest settlement on the main 
land in this town, was made by Abijah Putnam from Rome, who 
in 1801, located two miles below the present village of Cape 
Vincent, at a place early known us Port Putnam, where he estab- 
lished the first ferry to Wolf Island. He was sent there for the 
purpose by Jacob Brown, the agent of Le Ray. One Samuel 
Cone, settled on the opposite shore of the island at the same 
time. In 1803, the state road was extended from Brownville to 
this place, and cut out and partly worked in the winter of 1803- 
4. In 1804, John Macombs, and Peter Sternberg, from near 
Little Falls, purchased Putnam's chance, laid out the plan of a 
village, and sold a few lots. In May 1803, John B. Esselslyn, 
from Montgomery, settled three miles below the present village 
of Cape Vincent. Daniel Spinning came from Western, in 
1804, and soon after two families by the name of Smith, Jona- 
than Cummings, — Sheldon, and others, located near the place. 
In 1806, Richard M. Esselstyn, settled near Putnam's ferry with 
his brother. 

The first work of importance done at the present village of 
Cape Vincent, was by Eber Kelsey, from Turin, originally from 
Connecticut, who in the summer of 1809, came on with about 
twenty men, and cleared for Le Ray a tract of 50 acres, erected 
a wharf, block dwelling house and tavern, a frame barn, &c. ; 
and the same season, Richard M. Esselstyn built a house and 
store, and commenced trade, under the firm of J. B. & R. M. 
Esselstyn. Dr. Avery Ainsworth, from Vermont, built a house 
and store, the same season, and was the first physician who 
settled in this part of the county. Mr. Le Ray, from an early 
period, designed Cape Vincent or Gravelly Point, as it is some- 
times called, as the site of a village, which from its proximity 
to Kingston, and the facility with which the river could be 
crossed at all seasons, rendered a very eligible point for a com- 
mercial town. A mile square was surveyed and lotted in 1811, 
by Musgrove Evans, one of the surveyors of Le Ray. A ferry was 
early established here by Kelsey, and by an act of February 20th, 
1807, Peter Sternberg procured the exclusive right of ferrying 



112 Cape Fincent. 

between Carlton Island and Long Island, for a term of ten years. 
The ferries across the river in this town, have generally been 
granted by the legislature, the rates being fixed by the county 
courts. Before the establishment of a custom house, smuggling 
was carried on with impunity, especially during the embargo 
period, when the temptation was great, and the means of pre- 
vention comparatively limited. 

In 1809 the business of lumbering was commenced by Essel- 
styn and Murry, the latter from Augusta, in Canada, the timber 
being bought of Le Ray and exported as staves, and square 
timber. This business gave employment to many men, and brought 
a transient population to the place. In the same year several 
families made a permanent stand in the place. In 1810 the im- 
portation in vessels of staves, from the Genesee and Niagara 
countries, gave employment to a considerable number and brought 
in much money. About 200,000 staves were imported, and at 
the end of the season 80 or 90,000 were left. The business 
of building arks for the Montreal trade, is followed to some ex- 
tent, and in 1811, it was continued by the Esselstyns on their 
own account, but not so extensively. In 1812 the embargo was 
again laid, but the cry of war had been so long heard, that it 
was not dreaded, and preparations were made to raft the staves, 
that remained of the business of 18 10, but before the embargo 
was to have ceased, war was declared, and the lumber was after- 
wards mostly used as fuel by Wilkinson's army. At this time, there 
were but about six families at Cape Vincent. The news of the 
war spread terror throughout the settlement, and this point being 
nearest to Kingston, was considered of much importance by Ge- 
neral Brown, upon whom the care of the early military operations 
of this place was laid. Capt. Farrar, had been stationed here a 
short time before, with a part of a company of militia, to enforce 
the embargo. Major John B. Esselstyn, a resident of the place, 
was immediately directed to assemble a body of militia, and three 
companies were collected and retained under his command, until 
Major Allen could arrive with his draft. A company of drafted 
militia from the Mohawk settlements, under Capt. Getman, and 
subsequently others were posted here a short time. 

A few days after, war had been declared, but before the news 
was received, the Niagara, and Ontario, two schooners, laden 
with flour and potash, from Queenstown to Brockville, were seized 
by Mr. Elijah Fields, Jr., deputy collector at Cape Vincent, and 
taken to Sackets Harbor, where an investigation was held; the 
Niagara was condemned and sold, the Ontario was released 
and allowed to depart. The vessels were owned by Porter & 
Barton, of Niagara, and were taken in our waters, without papers, 
and in violation of the revenue laws. 



Cape Vincent. 113 

During the war, as would be very naturally supposed, this 
point being the most exposed on the whole frontier, and one of 
the few places then inhabited on the river, became the scene of 
adventures that attracted notice at the time and are still preser- 
ved by traditions. On a certain occasion, probably in the summer 
of 1813, a man by the name of Draper, who belonged to Capt. 
Getman's company, and served as an express to Sackets Harbor, 
learning that a party of Indians had been lurking on Wolf Island, 
solicited and obtained of Col. Dodge, at Sackets Harbor, leave 
(not orders) to raise a party of volunteers from the company and 
dislodge them. A gunboat, under Capt. Hawkins, having touched 
at the Cape, agreed to take them over, but not to take part in the 
affair. As the boat approached, a gun was fired, which put the 
Indians to flight. They were hastily pursued about a mile to an 
open field, beyond a bridge crossing a marsh, where Draper, by 
carelessly exposing himself to the shots of the enemy, was killed, 
and two others slightly wounded. The party hastily returned, 
leaving him; and, according to some accounts, he was scalped. 
This has been denied, and it is generally believed he was buried, 
but so slightly that the foxes dug to him, and he was afterwards 
again interred. 

A little before the attack on Sackets Harbor, a British gunboat 
touched at Cape Vincent, in the night, and a part of the crew having 
landed, heard of the presence of a party of three dragoons, who 
had put up for the night from Sackets Harbor. One of these, 
named Moore, who was an accomplished fencer, retreated to a 
corner of the room and kept off his assailants so effectually, that, 
finding it impossible to take him alive, he was shot. His comrades 
escaped, and the enemy returned to their boats. Two weeks later, 
another visit was made, a store plundered, and temporary bar- 
racks in the place burned. Subsequent visits for plunder followed, 
and many of the inhabitants left for a less exposed situation. Late 
in 1813 General Wilkinson's army stopped a short time at the 
place. After the war, lumbering was resumed, and the opening 
of roads, especially the turnpike from Brownville, gave a new 
impulse to the settlement. 

Until about 1816, the settlements along the river were limited 
to a few points, but about this time the country around began to 
be taken up; new roads were opened in every direction, and for 
a short time, the country advanced rapidly in population and 
improvements, which continued till the completion of the Erie 
Canal. At Cape Vincent, several educated and accomplished 
French families located; among whom, in 1818, was Peter 
Francis Real, known in European history as Count Real, the 
chief of police under Napoleon. The change of political pros- 
pects in France, in a few years, recalled many^celebrated exiles 



114 Cape Vincent. 

who had adhered to the fortunes of Napoleon, and fled from the 
disasters which overtook that dynasty, among whom were Count 
Real, and others who had made this country their home. At 
about the same time, Mr. F. R. Hasler, the eminent philosopher 
and engineer, having become interested in real estate in this 
place, came here to reside with his family, and planned the es- 
tablishment of a normal school, which he never perfected. The 
village was a favorite resort with Mr. Le Ray, and he was often 
accompanied by eminent foreigners, who never visited the county 
without becoming his guests, and sharing that refined hospitality 
which he knew so well how to bestow. The first visit of LeRay 
to this place was in 1S03, and was attended with the following 
incident: 

He was accompanied by Gouverneur Morris, and after visiting 
Brownville, they took an open boat to continue their journey, as 
Mr. Morris had a wooden leg, and could not conveniently travel 
in the woods by the rude means of communication which the 
country then afforded, and he was moreover very partial to sail- 
ing, and claimed to be especially skillful in managing water 
craft. On passing Cherry Island, Mr. Morris observed that there 
must be fine fishing there, and as he had with him his French 
cook, and culinary apparatus, he declared he would serve his 
friend a better fish dinner than he had ever tasted. Mr Le Ray 
objected that it was getting late and cloudy, and they had a great 
ways to run before reaching Putnam's, the first settlement on the 
shore. Nothing would do; Mr. Morris was as fond of good cheer 
as of sailing, and they stopped. They had good fishing, and 
a capital dinner; but it was late before they set sail again, 
and dark before they reached the St. Lawrence, and they were 
obliged to stop at Gravelly Point, two miles above Putnam's, 
where they pitched their tent and went to bed, for they had all 
the necessary implements. In the middle of the night, a fire 
built before the tent set it in flames; Mr Morris, thus unseason- 
ably disturbed, felt all around for his wooden leg, but was 
obliged to flee without it. The exposure to wind and rain pro- 
duced in Mr. Le Ray a violent illness and he with difficulty 
returned to Brownville. Dr. Kirkpatrick was procured from 
Rome, and he was long confined with a dangerous fever. 

A custom house was established here, and Cape Vincent dis- 
trict organized in 1818. The greatest amount of business was 
formerly done in winter, but since the completion of the Water- 
town and Rome Rail Road the business has very greatly in- 
creased. The collectors have been John B. Esselstyn, Jerre 
Carrier, Judah T. Ainsworth, Peleg Burchard, Gideon S. Sacket, 
and Alfred Fox. The ports of Alexandria Bay, Clayton, Mil- 
foil's Bay, Grenadier Island, Three Mile Bay, Chaumont Bay 



Cape Vincent. 115 

and Point Peninsula are subordinate to this, and included in the 
district. The present officers at this office aie: Alfred Fox, 
collector, Charles W. Rogers, William Estis, deputy collectors, 
James L. Folger, L. D. Tarble, inspectors. In 1848 the official 
returns gave $91,597; in 1&49, $90,484; in 1850, $120,040; 
and in 1851 of $94,546. 

A considerable amount of ship building has been carried on 
at Cape Vincent since 1819. The following is believed to be a 
correct list of vessels built here, the names of first masters 
(when known) being given in italics. Schooners: Henry, John 
Davis; V. Le Ray, do.; Lafayette, Mastin; Ainsworth, J. Be- 
lisle; Hannah, Peter Ingalls; O. P. Starkey, do.; L. Goler, 
Lucas; Victor, Ripley; Free Trader, Shattuck; Chief Justice 
Marshall, Edie; brig, Merchant, T. Pheatt; schooners, Henry 
Crevolin, Belisle; John E. Hunt, P. Ingalls; Napoleon, Crouch; 
Merchant, J. Harris; Amelia, Shattuck; Roscoe, do; Potomac, 
do; brig, Iowa; sloop, Elizabeth Goler, Cummings; brig, 
Patrick Henry, W. E. Ingalls; schooner, Montezuma, Smith; 
Troy; Allanwick; Globe, Goler; propeller, St. Nicholas, Littz; 
schooner, Charles Smith, W. E. Ingalls; Algomah, Reid; Silas 
Wright, Fuller; Port Henry, /. Jarvis. 

Application for the incorporation of the village of Cape Vin- 
cent, was made to the court of sessions, June 14th, 1853. A 
census taken on the 14th of April, gave a population of 1218, 
within the proposed limits, or 312§ acres. The petition to the 
court was signed by Jerre Carrier, Samuel Forsyth, Zebulon 
Converse and L. H. Ainsworth, and an election w r as held in 
July, which resulted in the adoption of the charter by a vote of 
SO to 2. The first village election was held August 9th, 1853, 
at which J. Carrier, T. Peugnet, J. T. Ainsworth, J. L. Folger, 
and L. H. Ainsworth, were chosen trustees; William R. Sanders, 
clerk; W. J. Ingalls, C. Smith, C. Wright, assessors; R. Crary, 
treasurer; J. L. Gardenier, collector. 

The rail road company have built here, for the accommodation 
of an immense and rapidly increasing trade, a wharf about 3000 
feet long, and two freight houses, one 35 by 600 feet, and 
another 35 by 100. During the last season, they have com- 
pleted a grain elevator, 60 by 90 feet, and 70 feet high, for un- 
loading grain from vessels, and loading upon cars, and with 
ample bins for the storage of grain. They have also completed a 
passenger depot, 50 by 200 feet, including a hotel, and are ex- 
tending their improvements as the wants of trade, and the 
increase of business demand. There runs between this rail road 
and the Michigan Central, a line of propellers, consisting of the 
Bay State, Capt. A. Reed; JVorthern Michigan, Capt. J. M. 
Green; Jefferson, Capt. D. H. Dixon; Hercules, Capt. J. Bost- 



116 Cape Vincent. 

wick; and Young America, Capt. L. W. Bancroft. These 
propellers were mostly built at Buffalo within the last two years, 
and have a tonnage of 372. They are owned by Bancroft & 
Co. 

There is also a line of steamers, consisting of the Champion, 
May Flower, and Highlander, running daily, in connection with 
trains, to all Canadian ports from Kingston to Hamilton, and a 
ferry leaves on the arrival of every passenger train for Kingston. 
The express line of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steam Boat 
Company, consisting of the magnificent steamers New York and 
Bay State, form a daily line between Ogdensburg and Lewiston, 
from June till October, and touch both ways at this place. 

An appropriation of $3,000 was made, May 18th, 1S26, for 
the erection of a light house on Tibbets' Point, at the mouth of 
the St. Lawrence, nearly two miles from the village, and recently 
measures have been adopted for the erection of another, at the 
head of Carlton Island. A breakwater in front of the piers at 
Cape Vincent, is demanded by the commercial wants of the 
place, and it is presumed will ere long be built by the general 
government who can not long neglect an improvement so 
obviously necessary. 

The village of Cape Vincent is delightfully located near the 
head of the St. Lawrence, on a plain that rises by a gentle slope, 
and is laid out in squares. It contains churches of Episcopal, 
Presbyterian, and Catholic orders, two wharves, besides the ample 
ones lately constructed by the rail road company, the usual variety 
of mechanics, and is the residence of many engaged in the em- 
ployment of the rail road, and the navigatian of the lakes. 

In Lake Ontario, opposite to this town, and forming a part of 
it, is Grenadier Island, that was patented separately from the 
lands on the main shore, and of the title of which there occurred 
some interesting negotiation. 

Patrick Colquhoun, in a letter before us, dated London, June 
4, 1792, made to Win. Constable, who held at that time the in- 
terest in Macomb's contract, a proposition, to purchase several 
of the islands, near the confluence of the lake and river, and also 
the small islands lying in Niauern, or Nivernois Bay, among 
which were Chevruelle, or Roe Buck Island* Renard or Foxes 
Island, and others, of which the only description he possessed was 
drawn from Sauthier's map, which was very defective in the de- 
tails of this section of the state. He offered for these islands, 
which he represented as including about ten thousand acres, "and 
are said to be rocky and overgrown with juniper and other small 

* Carlton Island, which he supposed was included in the contract. 



Cape Fin cent. 117 

shrubs, which indicate a poverty of soil," the sum of £400 sterl., 
as soon as a patent could be obtained, and the title deeds made 
out, and if any small islands, not specified in the above offer, were 
found to lie in the vicinity, they were to be included. In a post- 
script he offered to pay one hundred per cent, on whatever these 
islands shall cost in the gross, when payment was made to the 
state of New York, according to the measurement. 

It is probable that the fact of Grenadier Island's being con- 
tracted to Macomb, was not known to the parties who presented 
Feb. 24, 1803, to the legislature, the following petition: 

"The memorial of Samuel English, and Hezekiah Barret, 
humbly sheweth; that whereas your memorialists did petition the 
honorable legislature in their last session, for a grant of a cer- 
tain island, lying in the Lake Ontario, between Oswego, and the 
head of the river St. Lawrence, belonging to the people of this 
state, on such terms as your honorable body should deem meet 
and reasonable, which island is known by the name of Grenadier 
Island, and is supposed to contain about 1000 acres. Your me- 
morialists being informed, that a bill did pass the honorable house 
of assembly last session in their favor, but doubts arising in the 
breasts of some of the members, that the Indian title might not 
be extinguished, the bill was finally lost. Your memorialists hav- 
ing made diligent inquiry, are satisfied that there is no claim 
upon said island, by the Indians, and that it is actually the pro- 
perty of this state, which induces them once more to pray, that 
your honorable body will grant them the said Island, and they 
will engage to settle the same within twelve months, after re- 
ceiving a grant therefor." 

A slight investigation was sufficient to prove, that the state 
had no power to convey the island, which was not done until the 
boundary had been finally settled. 

Grenadier Island, first began to be settled two or three years 
before the war, and in 1813 it became the rendezvous of the 
army and fleet of General Wilkinson, in his disastrous expedi- 
tion down the St. Lawrence, which both in plan, and execution, 
reflected unmitigated disgrace upon the American arms, and 
deserved infamy upon the chief conductors. The currents have 
thrown up beaches, at the east extremity of the island, in such 
a manner, as to form a capacious bay, which is named Basin 
Harbor. The shores, in common w T ith those of the main land, 
afford valuable seine fisheries, and the soil is very fertile. Before 
a proprietor appeared to show title, it had been occupied by 
about fourteen families. It is now owned by parties in Clayton 
Village, and is occupied as an exfensive dairy farm. The first 
settler on this island is said to have been John Mitchel, who en- 
dured many hardships from his isolated position and distance from 
neighbors. 



1 18 Cape Vincent. 

The most disastrous accident that ever occurred on lake Onta- 
rio happened near The Ducks, small islands near the Cana- 
da shore, about forty miles above Kingston, on the morning of 
April 30, 1853. The upper cabin steamer Ocean Wave, built 
in Montreal, in 1851, and owned by the Northern Rail Road, be- 
ing then on her way down from Hamilton to Ogdensburgh, took 
fire between one and two o'clock in the morning, and was burned. 
The fire took near the engine, and appeared to have been occa- 
sioned by the faulty construction of the boat, which had been 
on fire on one or two previous occasions. When the flames 
were discovered they were making such rapid progress, from the 
boat being newly painted, that the small boats could not be got 
out, and in less than five minutes it was enveloped in flames. 
The terrific scene that ensued defies description, the miserable 
victims having but a moment's time for deciding by which mode 
of death they should perish. The light attracted the schooners 
Georgiana and Emblem, who, with some fishing boats from the 
shore, saved twenty-one persons out of forty-four, the number of 
the crew and passengers. The steamer Scotland came up near 
the w r reck about sunrise, and passed without rendering assistance. 
According to the affidavit of the captain and crew, there was no 
one floating around the place at this time. 

The post offices in the town of Cape Vincent are, Cape Vin- 
cent, Mitten's Bay, and St. Lawrence. 

A Union Library was formed August 14, 1824, with Gideon 
S. Sacket, John B. Esselstyn, Danied Smith, Stockwell Osgood, 
Philip P. George, Zebulon Coburn, and Roswell T. Lee, trus- 
tees. It was maintained several years, when it was discon- 
tinued. 

Religious Societies. The first Presbyterian society of Lyme 
was formed at Cape Vincent, December 22, 1S24, with Benja- 
min Holmes, Oliver Lynch, Hezekiah H. Smith; Jedediah C. 
Mills, and Samuel Forsyth, trustees. A church had been previ- 
ously formed, which was admitted to the Presbytery in June, 
1823. The Rev. J. Burchard was employed in 1824-25; Eber 
Childs, and David Smith were stated supplies for a few months 
each; Lucius Foot was hired in 1827. A stone church was 
built, and temporarily fitted for use, in 1S32, and finished about 
1840. The society received of Mr. Le Ray the lot and $400. 
The cost of the church was about $2,800. A bell was procured 
in 1852. The pews are rented annually to support the minister. 

St. John's Church (Episcopal) was formed with the approba- 
tion of Bishop De Lancey, dated December 26, 1S40, by Rev. 
John Noble, on the 17th of January, 1841. A society was le- 
gally organized, January 25, 1841, the Rev. John Noble being 
erctor; John B. Esselstyn, and Nelson B. Williams, wardens; 



Champion. 119 

Nelson Potter, Otis P. Starkey, Robert Bartlett, Calvin K. Pool, 
Judah T. Ainsworth, Robert Moore, Rice Parish, and William 
Esselstyn, vestrymen. A lot 8 rods by 20 was given for the 
purpose by 0. P. Starkey, upon which a small but convenient 
church was erected, at a cost of $3,100, between June 1, and 
October 1, 1841. On the 2d day of June, 1S42, it was conse- 
crated. The Society has since erected a parsonage opposite the 
church. Mr. Nobles has been succeeded by N. Watkins, April 6, 
1841; Samuel H. Norton, April 13, 1846; Richard Adams, 
1850; and James Abercrombie, June 23, 1852. The report 'of 
1851 gave 53 families and 240 persons, as belonging to the 
church; whole number of communicants up to July, 1853, has 
been about 70. 

The first Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Cape 
Vincent, was formed October 14, 1851, with William King, 
George Akerline, William Esselstyn, Philetus Judd, Asa S. 
Jones, John Hollenbeck, and John Nimms, trustees. 

The Catholics, in the summer of 1853, commenced the erec- 
tion of a church, which is noi finished at the time of writing. 
There is a Catholic church in the French settlement, seven miles 
from the village. 

Champion. 

This town, embracing township number four, of the Eleven 
Towns, was formed from Mexico, by an act of March 14, 1800, in- 
cluding all that part of the present town of Denmark, north of Deer 
River. It received its name from General Henry Champion, of 
Colchester, Ct., who was one of the early proprietors of this town, 
and was also very extensively interested in lands in Ohio, and in 
the western parts of this state. 

Supervisors. — 1800-14, Noadiah Hubbard; 1815, Wilkes Ri- 
chardson; 1816, 17, Stowell Warner; 1818-20, N. Hubbard; 
1821, Eseck Lewis; 1822-6, N. Hubbard; 1827, Samuel Dean. 
At a special town meeting in October, Eseck Lewis was chosen 
to fill a vacancy; 1S28, 9, Henry D. Cad well; 1830-33, Otis 
Loomis; 1834-38, Richard Hulbut; 1839,40, David Smith; 
1841-43, John Pool, Jr.; 1844, E.Lewis; 1845, James C.Lynde; 
1846, David Smith; 1847, John Pool, Jr.; 1848, Wm. Vanhosen; 
1849, D. Smith; 1850, Wm. Vanhosen; 1851-3, Benajah A. 
Lewis. 

The town officers elected at the first town meeting, April 1, 
1800, were Noadiah Hubbard, supervisor; Eli Church, clerk; 
Timothy Pool, David CofFeen and William Hadsall, assessois; 
Ephraim Chamberlain, constable and collector; John Ward and 
Reuben Rockwood, overseers of the poor; Solomon Ward, Ama- 
ziah Parker, and Elihu J ones, commissioners of highways; Daniel 
CofFeen, Wm. Crowell, Timothy Pool and Moses Goodrich, over- 



120 Champion. 

seers of highways; Levi Barns, fence viewer; Bela Hubbard, 
pound master. 

The following is a record of the first school meeting in town, 
as it occurs on the records in the town clerk's office: 

"Champion, 23d October, 1800. At a regular meeting of the 
inhabitants of the town aforesaid, it was resolved, that there shall 
be a house erected near a spring, on the road now running from 
Noadiah Hubbard's to Daniel Coffeen's, in said town; and like- 
wise resolved, that said house shall be built with logs, sixteen 
feet one way, and twenty feet the other way. Also, resolved by 
said meeting,, that Daniel CofFeen and Noadiah Hubbard, shall 
act as trustees of said school. Attest, Eli Church, Town Clerk." 

Champion was surveyed by Moses and Benjamin Wright, in 
1797, the former subdividing, and the latter surveying around it; 
the area, according to M. Wright, was 26,703 acres, and by B. 
Wright. 25,708 acres. It was subdivided into lots of 500 acres. 

This town was the first one in which actual settlements were 
begun in the county, unless, perhaps Ellisburgh, which was 
explored with the view of settlement at about the same time. 
The following advertisement appeared in the Western Centinel* 
June 7, 1797. 

" Lands for sale, lying on Black River, in the County of 
Herkimer, and State of New York. 

Forty lots of land laid out into farms, containing from 100 to 
240 acres each, on Inman's Patent,f so called; in this township 
there is about forty actual settlers, and a good grist mill within 
one mile and [illegible] * * * on said land. This land is of an 
excellent soil, and the situation convenient and pleasing for set- 
tlers. The subscriber will remain on the land the most of the 
ensuing summer and fall. Terms of payment will be made to 
accommodate purchasers. Also township No. 4,J lying on and 
adjoining Black River, about thirty miles from Boon's Mills; 
this township is of an excellent soil; twenty actual settlers will 
be on this township this summer. For terms please to apply to 
the subscriber, who will reside on Inman's Patent, or to Capt. 
Noadiah Hubbard, of Steuben, who is making a settlement on 
said township No. 4. 

Also for sale a township of land lying on Black River, near 
Lake Ontario. § These townships are all laid out in lots, and will 
be sold by large or small quantities, to suit purchasers, and the 
title indisputable. Also ten lots of land to be leased on first 
tract." Lemuel Storks. 

May 10, 1797. 75, 4m- 

# Published by Lewis $• Webb, near the post office in Whitestown, County 
of Herkimer. Four columns; small folio. 

t Leyden. {Champion. $ Houndsfield. 



Champion. 121 

Settlements were commenced in this town by Noadiah Hub- 
bard, in 1797, the details of which we give in the following 
letter, which was written at our request, and can not fail of being 
read with interest: 

Champion, June, 1853. 

" Dr. F. B. Hough, Dear Sir: As you requested some months 
since, 1 now transmit to you a few of my recollections of the 
early settlement of this county. I should have complied with 
your request earlier had it not been for a pressure of business 
during the summer and autumn, and more recently not being in 
my usual state of health. 

When I consider the long lapse of time since the first settle- 
ment of this country to the present, and my very advanced age, 
I can scarcely expect to write much that will interest your read- 
ers; and, therefore, I give you, liberty to use or not to use the 
simple records as you see fit. I am past the age when most men 
write at all, being now in my eighty-ninth year, and past events 
may well be supposed to be becoming dimmed by reason of age, 
and more like a dream than a reality; yet I have been, and am 
wonderfully blessed both as respects health and the possession of 
present memory — some of the choicest gifts of a kind Providence. 
All the companions of my early youth and of my more mature 
years, have passed away, and 1 am left alone to tell the tale. 
Yet not alone as it respects friends. Others have risen up around 
me to take the place, in some measure, of those that are gone. 
Of the friends of my early manhood's years, I often feel to ex- 
claim where are they? and " echo answers where are they?" 
Gone to that " bourne from whence no traveler returns." The 
original landholders, even, of all this region of country are passed 
away, and have left no trace or name save in the title deeds. I 
have not very many records of those early days; so full of life 
and bustle were they, that little time was left to record their stir- ■ 
ring events; yet some I have, and when I give you dates at all, 
they are from memoranda made at the time. 

I first came to this town, Champion, in the year 1797, with 
Lemuel Storrs, a large landholder, when he came on for the first 
time to view his purchase. I was then residing in Steuben, in 
what is now Oneida County, but then, or shortly before, Herkimer. 
Mr. Storrs then hired several pack men, whose business it was 
to carry the necessary provisions for the expedition on their 
backs. This was late in the autumn. We traveled on foot by 
what was called the French Road to the High Falls on the Black 
River. This road had been cut for the accommodation of the 
French refugees who had made a settlement at High Falls, and 
had then a log city. Many of these French belonged to the 
nobility of France, who were obliged to abandon their country 

9 



122 Champion. 

during the revolution in 1793, but who were afterwards permit- 
ted to return when the star of empire rose upon the Bonapartes. 
Their settlement was made upon what was called the French 
Tract, on the north and east side of the Black River, and extend- 
ing a great distance. From the High Falls we descended the 
river in a boat to the rapids, called Long Falls, now known as 
Carthage. Here we landed, and in two days explored the town- 
ship, then an unbroken wilderness. On our way down, Silas 
Stow, then a young man, and afterward known as Judge Stow, 
of Lowville, joined us. On the third day we reembarked and 
proceeded up the river, and it was two days hard rowing to get 
back again to the Hi^h Falls. As I believe I before mentioned, 
it was late in November, and the night we were obliged to be 
out, we encountered a severe snow storm. To protect ourselves 
from it in some measure, we made a shanty by setting up some 
crotchets, and laying on poles, and covering them with hemlock 
boughs. We also scattered branches upon the ground upon 
which to lie, and by making a rousing fire in front of our shelter, 
we contrived to be very comfortable. By this time our provisions 
were nearly exhausted, and we had before us the prospect of a 
hungry day. But in ascending the river we fortunately killed a 
duck and a partridge; these being stripped of their feathers in 
the evening, I cooked them for our breakfast the next morning. 
I prepared them as nicely as we could with our scanty means; 
salt we had none. I had a little pork left; this I cut in small 
bits and inserted into the flesh of the fowls, when it served the 
double purpose of salt, and butter for basting. To cook them I 
set up a couple of crotched sticks, laid another across, and from 
it by strips of bark suspended my fowls before the fire, where 
they cooked most beautifully, and were all in good time partaken 
of by the company with rare relish. Indeed, Messrs. Storrs and 
Stow declared they had never eaten so good. Hunger and a 
limited supply gave a keenness of relish not often experienced. 

In due time we arrived safe and well in Steuben, from whence 
we had started, where I passed the winter. Mr. Storrs offered 
me very liberal inducements to come on here and commence a 
settlement; so liberal that I determined to accept them, though 
I may say in passing and then dismiss the subject forever, that 
he failed to fulfil his liberal offers. But in consideration of those 
offers, I left my home in Steuben the 1st of June, 1798, and 
started for this place, accompanied by Salmon Ward and David 
Starr, with fifteen head of cattle. We traveled again upon the 
French road, as far as it availed us. This township had been 
surveyed by Benjamin and Moses W'right, the year before, and 
this year Mr. Storrs had engaged B. W. to survey Hounsfield, 
and on his way there he was to mark a road to this place, and to 



Champion. 123 

precede me. I met the surveyors agreeably to appointment at a 
Mr. Hoadley's, and from there we came on to what is called Turin 
Four Corners. There was only one log house there then. From 
there we went west about thirty or forty rods to Zaccheus Higby's. 
There we laid down our maps and consulted them, and came to 
the conclusion to take from thence a north course. This led us 
up on to the top of the hill, now known as the Tug Hill. We 
w r ere entirely ignorant of the face of the country,' and of the 
most eligible route to pursue, and therefore took the one which 
seemed the most direct, not knowing the obstacles to be encoun- 
tered. We had before come down by water, and on this route 
there was not even a marked tree. It w r as the duty of the sur- 
veyors to precede us, mark a road and chain it. Mr. W*** started 
in advance of us for this purpose. It was a beautiful, clear 
morning and we followed on, progressing finely until the middle 
of the afternoon, when we came to a great gulf, and an abund- 
ance of marked trees. We went over the gulf but could find no 
more trees marked. We then made a fire and took out the stop- 
pings from our bells, and suffered our cattle to feed around the 
fire, while we set ourselves to search for marked trees, over the 
gulfs and up and down, but could find no place to cross, or marks 
by which to determine what course the surveyors had taken. In 
this predicament we prepared to construct a shelter for the night 
of hemlock boughs, &.c. 

The next morning the sun came up clear and bright, and I 
called a council. 1 told the men how much damage it would be 
to me to return, how great a loss not to proceed, and asked them 
if they were willing to come on. David Starr replied that he 
would go to h — 1, if I would. Though no way desirous of going 
to the latter place, even in good company, I determined to come 
on, if such a thing were possible, without a compass or guide. 
We then set ourselves to work, and felled trees, with which we made 
an enclosure, into which we drove our cattle, and then shoved 
them down the precipice, one after another; they went up slant- 
ingly on the other side, and much better than we got them down, 
so that finally they were all safely over, after much toil and 
trouble I then agreed to pilot the company down, took off the 
ox bell, and carried it in my hand, leading the way, and steered 
a north course by the sun and watch. We had the advantage of 
a bright sunshine. We had to cross a number of gulfs, and one 
windfall, which was the worst of all. We continued to travel 
upon the summit of the hill, where we found much fine table land. 
The cattle would travel as fast as I could lead the w r ay. One 
man drove them, and another followed, axe in hand, to mark the 
trees, and leave traces behind us, so that if we could not advance, 
we could retrace our steps. 



124 Champion. 

We descended the hill before reaching Deer River. The lat- 
ter we struck and crossed above the falls — not far from where the 
village of Copenhagen now stands — and coming on, we succeed- 
ed in finding the town line, which was identified by marked trees, 
not far from where the toll-gate now is, on the Champion and 
Copenhagen Plank Road. We then changed our course, follow- 
ing the line to the Black River, at Long Falls, where we arrived 
before night. We there found Mr. W*** and men. They had 
not arrived more than an hour before us. When seeing us, Mr. 
W*** exclaimed, "How, in the name of God, have you got here?' 3 ' 
I replied, " You scoundrel! you ought to be burnt for leaving us 
so!" It was a most rascally piece of business, their leaving us 
as they did. But I suppose the truth was, they thought it im- 
possible for us ever to get through with our cattle; but this does 
not excuse them for not having marked the road; 'twas for that 
they were sent — and if others could not follow, they were not 
answerable; but their duty was plain before them. 

My boat, which I had dispatched from the High Falls, soon 
after arrived, with my provisions, yokes, chains, cooking utensils, 
&c, &c. The next day we left one to watch our effects, while 
the others were searching for a desirable location. In a few days 
I selected the farm upon which I now live, principally for 
the reason that it was the centre of the township, rather than 
for any peculiar advantages it possessed over other portions of 
the town. Yet the soil has proved good, and sufficiently luxuri- 
ant with proper cultivation. This was what I sought, a good 
agricultural location, rather than one possessing hydraulic pri- 
vileges. Not one tree had been cut here for the purpose of ma- 
king a settlement, nor was there a white man settled in what is 
now the county of Jefferson, when I came here. I was the first 
vihite settler in the county. I remained here through the sum- 
mer, and until October, engaged in making a clearing. W'e then 
returned to Steuben, where my family was, to spend the winter. 
During the summer, some families had come into Lowville, and 
Mr. Storrs had caused a road to be marked from there to the Long 
Falls, and by that we returned, driving our cattle home again. 
These had become fat, by running in the woods, during the sum- 
mer, and I sold them for beef. I would mention here, though 
rather out of place, that 1 found a living spring of pure water, a 
few rods before where the public house, in this place, now stands, 
which had its influence in deciding my location. Near it I built 
my first house, and there I kept " bachelor's hall" two summers, 
being myself " chief cook." My first habitation was a cabin, 
erected in a few hours' time, with the aid of my men. It was a 
rude structure, but served our purpose. We first set some posts, 
and then, having felled great trees, stripped them of the bark, 



Champion. 125 

and, with this, covered the roof and three sides of our dwelling, 
the front was left opened, so that it may truly be said, we kept 
open house. The covering was kept firmly in its place by withes 
of bark. After the completion of our house, the next most ne- 
cessary thing, was an oven, in which to bake our bread, for bread 
we must have, it being the staff of life. This was soon made, 
with two logs for a foundation, and a flat stone thereon, the super- 
structure was soon reared with smaller stones, cemented together 
by a mortar of muck, from the side of the spring, and crowned by 
a flat stone. This answered my purpose as well as one of more ela- 
borate construction. For a door, we split out a plank of bass-wood; 
and for a kneading-trough, we again had recourse to the bass- 
wood, from whence we cut a log of the required length and di- 
mensions,splitit, and from one half, dugout, with an axe, and an in- 
strument named a how ell, which we had brought for such purposes, 
in a short tune, a trough, which answered our purpose very well. 
I bro't some yeast with me, to make my first batch of bread; after 
that, I used leaven, kept and prepared, after directions given me 
by my wife, before leaving home. Whatever may be said of our 
cooking, in general, I am sure none ever seemed sweeter to me, 
or was eaten with a better relish by others; labor sweetened 
every mouthful. We had cows; a plenty of milk, &c. We 
sometimes washed dishes, when we could not remember what we 
last ate upon them, but oftener turned them the bottom side up, 
there to remain until wanted again. Some even pretend to say, 
that when our table needed scouring, we sprinkled salt upon it, 
and put it out for the old cow to operate upon. However that 
may be. I am sure, if we ever did do it, it must have come from 
under her scouring apparatus exceedingly white. But the whole 
story is rather apocryphal. 

Early in the spring, 1799, 1 sent on two men, to make sugar, 
before I came on myself. They commenced making sugar, and 
one day went out hunting, leaving their sugar boiling. The con- 
sequence was, the house took fire and burned down, with all of 
the little it contained. During the winter, the Indians had stolen 
all the cooking utensils I had left, and the potatoes which I had 
raised, and buried the autumn before. Thus my riches were ta- 
king to themselves wings, and flying away. I came on soon after. 
This spring, Esquire Mix and family came on; John and Thomas 
Ward, Ephraim Chamberlain, Samuel and David Starr, Jotham 
Mitchell, Salmon Ward and Bela Hubbard, David Miller, and 
Boutin, a Frenchman, came to Carthage. The above were all 
young, unmarried men, save Mix. We continued our labors 
through the summer of 1799, but not with that spirit which we 
should have done, had not a rumor reached us of the failure of 
Mr. Storrs, and the probability that we should lose, not only all 



126 Champion. 

our labor, but the money which I had advanced for my land. But 
I will not enter into particulars here — let it suffice that I could 
not afford to lose all I had done and paid, and consequently en- 
tered into a compromise with him, to save a moiety of what was 
justly mine — of not only what I had actually paid for, but of 
what I was to have had, for leading the way in this first settle- 
ment of a new country, and subjecting myself again to all its dis- 
comforts and inconveniences. Consequently, in view of makiug 
this my permanent home, 1 moved my family here in the autumn 
of 1799. We had a very unfavorable time, to come. There had 
been a snow-storm, in which about six inches of snow had fallen. 
We were obliged to travel on horseback, the horses' feet balled 
badly: we had sloughs to go' through, and altogether, it was ve- 
ry uncomfortable traveling in that manner, with children. We 
arrived at Mr. Hoadley's the first night, and our ox-teams and 
goods the next day. From there, we came to the High Falls, 
where I had a boat awaiting us, which I had caused to be built 
for my own use. Here we embarked with all our goods and 
chattels, of all kinds, loading the boat to its utmost capacity, so 
that when all were in, it was only about tour inches out of water. 
We spent one night at the Lowville landing, where a family 
were living. During the evening, there came in a number of 
men, wet, cold and hungry. Among them, was one named Smith. 
He went to pull off the boots of one ot his companions, which 
w r ere very wet and clinging close. He pulled with all his might — 
the other bracing himself against him as firmly as possible. All 
at once, and with unexpected suddeness, the boot came off, and 
poor Smith was sent, with his bare feet, into a bed of live coals. 
There was both music and dancing for one while. 

We arrived at the Long Falls, about noon, the second day 
from our embarkation. The weather had by this time become 
warm and pleasant. Our oxen arrived soon after by land, we 
unloaded our boat, put our wagon together, loaded it with some 
of our effects, set off, and, before night, reached our "wilderness 
home." My wife said, in view of the difficulties in getting here, 
that, if she had any thing as good as a cave to live in, she would 
not return in one year at the least. She, of choice, walked from 
the Falls here, a distance of four miles through the forest. We 
arrived on the 17th of Nov., 1799. The weather continued pleasant 
until the 27th, when it commenced snowing, the river soon froze 
over, the snow, of which a great quantity fell, and continuing to 
fall, lasted all winter, and we were entirely cut off from all 
intercourse with the world. I kept fifteen head of cattle through 
the winter, by browsing them, and they wintered well. Isolated 
though we were, yet I never passed a more comfortable winter. 
We had a plenty of provisions; my wheat, I had raised here, a 



Champion. 127 

very fine crop from seed sown in the autumn of 1798, and my 
pork, &c, was fatted in Oneida County, and brought here by boat. 
And take it all together, I perhaps settled this country as easy as 
any one ever settled a new country, as completely isolated as this 
was at that time, and easier than I settled in Steuben, 18 miles 
from Utica. At that time we had to go to Utica or Whitesborough 
for provisions, and it always took one day to go out, and another 
to return, incredible as it may now seem. In the spring of 1800, 
people began to flock into the country by hundreds, and, as my 
log house afforded the only accommodation for wayfaring men, 
we were obliged to keep them, whether we would or no; some- 
times, and that very often, my floors were strewn with human 
beings as thick as they could lie, sorrTe so near the huge fire place 
as not to pass unscorch^d; one man in particular, it was said by 
his companions, had his head baked, by too close a proximity to 
the oven. This rush continued two or three years, and was full 
of incident and interest, but at this distance of time I can not 
recall these incidents with sufficient accuracy to detail them here. 
The town settled rapidly with an intelligent and energetic class 
of people. The society was good; it might be called good any 
where. Perhaps there was never a more intelligent and interesting 
people congregated together in an obscure little inland town, than 
in this, within a few years from its first settlement. I can not 
state the order of time in which they came, but the names of a 
few of them I will record, that in future time, when this place 
shall have sunk into insignificance, as it too probably will, before 
the greater lights arising around it, it may be known that we 
were once honored by having in our midst such men as Egbert 
Ten Eyck, afterwards first judge of the court, w T ho was then a 
young lawyer, and married here to one of our beautiful maidens; 
Olney Pearce and wife, Hubbel and wife, Judge Moss Kent, 
brother of the late chancellor, Henry R. Storrs, who opened an 
office here, and afterwards became one of the most distinguished 
lawyers of the state. Dr. Baudry, a Frenchman, Drs. Durkee and 
Farley, and many others, too numerous to mention, as well as 
many ladies of grace and beauty, whom it would be invidious 
now to particularize. Common schools were soon established. 
Religious meetings were held on the sabbath, after old Deacon 
Carter came into the town, and in very few years, I think as early 
as 1805, the Rev. Nathaniel Dutton came. He was sent out by 
some missionary societyjat the east, to form churches in this west- 
ern world, and coming to this place, was invited to remain, which 
he did, and continued here until the close of his valuable life, in 
Sept. 1852, and for the greater part of that time was the pastor 
of the Congregational church, which flourished under his minis- 
trations, and enjoyed many powerful revivals of religion. 



128 Champion. 

A house was built at a very early day, on the hill, west of the 
village, which combined the double purpose of a church and 
school house. It was an expensive house for the times and com- 
munity. In a few years it was burned to the ground. The next 
school house was also a large one, located across the gulf, on the 
road to the Great Bend. This was also used as a meeting house. 
A part of it is still standing and is now converted into a dwelling 
house. Some years later it was determined to erect a church, 
but the details of this and other movements, I presume, you will 
obtain more fully from other sources. 

Yours, &c. Noadiah Hubbard." 

The difficulties attending the early settlement of this town, and 
the country generally, are set forth in the following petition to 
the legislature, dated the third Tuesday of February, 1801: 

''The memorial of the subscribers, proprietors, and inhabitants 
of Champion, on Black River, in the County of Oneida, in said 
state, humbly sheweth: That your memorialists, induced by the 
extraordinary fertility of the soil, have made an establishment 
in said Champion, and extended the frontier settlements of the 
state in a northerly direction from Rome to Lake Ontario. That 
in prosecuting this enterprise, those of your memorialists who 
have emigrated from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New 
Hampshire, and the eastern parts of this state, have not only 
been subjected to the inconvenience of excessively bad roads, but 
have been and are still obliged to go around by the way of Rome 
to Utica, and through Boon's settlements, and Steuben, a distance 
of at least forty miles further than it would be in a direct line. 
That from the High Falls, on Black River, on a line tolerably 
direct to Johnstown, and from thence to Albany, on the old road 
is but 105 miles; but from the High Falls to Albany, by way of 
Rome is 145 miles. Your memorialists are informed, and verily 
believe, that a good road may be made in the direction they 
have pointed out, by which all the aforesaid saving in distance 
would be realized. But the country through which it must run, 
is either not settled at all, or so thinly inhabited that neither the 
towns through which the proposed road must be laid out, nor 
individuals, are competent to the opening of said road. Your 
memorialists would further observe that the road would not only 
be a great accommodation to them, but would be of so much 
public utility as to claim the patronage of the legislature. It 
would save at least forty miles in the travel from Albany to 
Upper Canada, between which places the commercial intercourse, 
particularly in the articles of skins and furs, is at present very 
considerable, and is daily increasing. The fur traders from this 
state, who have been bound to Kingston, and the bay of Cantie 



Champion. 129 

(from whence a great proportion of the furs have been brought), 
have heretofore been obliged to go through Vermont, and Lake 
Champlain, or through Rome, the Oneida Lake, into Lake Onta- 
rio, and thence to Kingston, either of which routes (as is evident 
from the map) is very circuitous; whereas the road which your 
memorialists propose, would make the traveling for these traders 
as direct as possible. Besides, it is believed, that those traders 
who are bound to Niagara, would find their account in travel- 
ing the new proposed road, and passing from Black River to 
Kingston, and taking passage from thence by water. It must 
also be the post road between this state and Upper Canada. 
This improvement in the road will rapidly increase the emigra- 
tion to this part of the country, and consequently the prosperity 
of this part of the state. Your memorialists therefore pray your 
honors to take this case into your consideration, and to appoint 
commissioners to lay out a road from Johnstown, in the nearest 
direction to the High Falls on Black River, and to grant out of 
a future lottery, a sum of money which shall be necessary to open 
a road, and make it passable, or in some^other way grant relief, 
and they as in duty bound will ever pray, &c." 

This petition was signed by N. Hubbard, Benjamin Pike, jr., 
Eli Church, Harrison Mosely, Timothy Townsend, Joel Mix, 
Samuel Foster, Abner White, Mathew Kemp, Bela Hubbard, jr., 
Elisha Jones, William Davis, and W T illiam Crowell. 

The virgin soil of this town was found to yield bountifully, 
and return an abundant increase to the hand of the cultivator, 
but the difficulty of realizing any means from the sales of pro- 
duce, from the difficulty of getting to market, led to efforts like 
the foregoing, to obtain aid for opening lines of communication, 
and we have heard it related from the lips of one who had 
shared in these privations, that once on an evening, when a 
few neighbors had assembled to exchange the news, the subject 
was being discussed, and one more sanguine than the rest, 
hazarded the prediction, that there were those then living, who 
would see a weekly line of mail stages pass through the town. 
This prophecy, like the dream of oriental fable, has come and 
gone, for although within ten years, not only a weekly but a 
daily mail was established, and for many years several mail 
coaches passed daily, the modern changes of routes by rail roads, 
and plank roads, have withdrawn these lines, and almost de- 
prived the town of a stated mail service. The proprietors of 
the town never expended a dollar upon the roads or bridges in it. 

The first saw mill in town was built by William Hadsall, and 
John A. Eggleson, from Greenwich, New York, in 1802, on 
Mill Creek, near the line of Rutland, where several years after- 
wards a grist mill was built. In 1804, David Cofieen removed 



130 Champion. 

from Rutland to the west side of the river, opposite Carthage, 
and in 1806 built a mill on this side of the river, which was 
the first hydraulic improvement at that place. Finding the sup- 
ply of water in the channel insufficient, he constructed a wing 
dam partly across the river, which was completed by Le Ray, 
upon his commencing his iron works at Carthage. One and a 
half miles from the present village of Champion, towards the 
Great Bend, is a hamlet known as The Huddle, where mills 
and a distillery were erected several years before the war. 

Tt has been intimated, that Champion had been contemplated 
as the probable centre of a new county. A special meeting was 
held November 13th, 1804, to choose delegates to discuss this 
measure, and Egbert Ten Eyck, Olney Pearce, and John Durkee, 
were chosen by ballot for this purpose. At the same meeting, 
the two latter were recommended for appointment as justices of 
the peace. In 1806, $100 was raised for killing the Canada 
thistle, to be expended by a committee consisting of Abel Crand- 
all, Olney Pearce, and {name illegible]. Wolf bounties of $5, 
were offered in 1807-8-9-10-11-12-13. In 1812, panther 
bounty $5, and fox bounty 50 cents. In 1815, fox bounty $1, 
wolf and panther bounty $10. In 1820, 50 cents for foxes; 25 
cents for young foxes. Wolf and panther bounty $10. Every 
man required to cut the Canada thistles growing in the road, in 
front of his lands, under a penalty of $ I for each thistle. In 
1822 a bounty of 50 cents for foxes, both old and young. 

While referring to the subject of bounties, the following may 
not be inapplicable. 

The anecdote is related, that a magistrate in this town, having 
had an altercation with a leading citizen in Lowville, heard that 
his opponent had offered a bounty of $5 for his head. Feeling 
somewhat uneasy under this, he resolved to ascertain its truth, 
and made the journey on foot on purpose to demand satisfaction, 
or a withdrawal of the offensive reward. Upon reaching the 
place, he found the person of whom he was in search, in com- 
pany with several others, and not wishing to make their quarrels 
a subject of publicity, he requested a private interview. This 
was promptly refused, on the ground that there was nothing be- 
tween them that required secresy, and he was told that if he had 
any thing to say, he might say it where he was. He then com- 
menced by repeating the story he had heard, and demanded 
whether it was true. His enemy denied at once the charge, 
calling his neighbors to witness whether they had ever known 
him guilty of the folly as the offering of such a sum, but admit- 
ted that he might have bid twenty shillings, and was very sure 
he had never gone higher! Finding that it was impossible to 
get this bounty taken off, he returned home. We are not in- 



Champion. 131 

formed of the result, or whether the reward was sufficient to 
tempt the cupidity of his neighbors. 

We have alluded to the fact that this town was owned at the 
time of settlement by Henry Champion, of Colchester, and Lem- 
uel Storrs, of Middletown, Ct. On the 12th of May, 1813, an 
instrument was executed between them, by which the latter con- 
veyed, for $18,300, his half of the sums due for lands in this 
town and Houndsfield, but this conveyance not being delivered 
during the lifetime of Storrs, was subsequently confirmed by his 
heirs.* * 

At Champion Village is a Congregational and a Methodist 
church, (the latter newly erected), a stone edifice built for 
academic purposes, an inn, union store, and about twenty dwell- 
ings. The academic building was built in 1836, by Freemasons, 
partly with the funds of their lodge, and partly by subscription; 
the lower story being devoted to schools, and the upper to a 
lodge room. It is managed by five trustees appointed by the 
lodge. The village is on the state road, where crossed by the 
Great Bend and Copenhagen Plank Road, and is seven miles 
from Denmark, four from Carthage, five from Great Bend, six 
from Felt's Mills, twelve from Watertown, and five from Copen- 
hagen. 

The village of Great Bend, is situated mostly on the south 
side of Black River, about a mile below where it bends from a 
northern to a westward course, and at the point where the Chas- 
sanis line crossed the river. A bridge was built here about 
1804, which in 1807, was swept off by the spring flood, which 
in that year was very general in this section of the state, and of 
extraordinary height. It was soon rebuilt. In 1840, a sub- 
stantial covered bridge at this place was burned, and a few weeks 
after, an act was passed authorizing a loan of $2,500 to the town 
of Champion, $750 to Le Ray, $2000 to Wilna, and $750 to 
Pamelia, for building bridges over Black River, among which 
were those at this place and Carthage. These loans were to be 
repaid by a tax in eight equal annual instalments. 

The first improvements at the Great Bend were commenced 
by Olney Pearce and Egbert Ten Eyck, who purchased a pine lot 
of one hundred acres in the vicinity, and entered into an engage- 
ment to build a dam, which was done by a Mr. Tubbs, and a saw 
mill was erected in 1S06. Henry G. Gardner subsequently be- 
came interested in the improvements, and in 1807, the mill 
which had been destroyed in the flood was rebuilt. In 1809, a 
distillery was got in operation, and in 1816, the premises were 
sold to Watson & Gates, who in 1824, conveyed them to Charles 
E. Clarke, by whom the water power and mills are still owned, 

* Jefferson Deeds, O, p. 28C. 



132 Champion. 

A destructive fire occurred at the Great Bend, March 6, 1840, 
by which the grist mill, bridge and other property were burned. 
The loss was estimated at $20,000. The mill was immediately 
rebuilt on an extensive scale. 

The river has here a fall of about sixteen feet, and both above 
and below a succession of rapids occur, which from Carthage to 
the lake amount to 480 feet. Of this the Long Falls, below 
Carthage, have 57 feet, and from thence to this place the fall is 
33 feet. 

The village of Great Bend, being at the crossing of an import- 
ant and early traveled road into the northern part of the county, 
naturally became a place of some business, and has at present a 
large grist mill, a saw mill, two inns, two stores, a Baptist church 
and thirty or forty families. 

In 1834, Joseph C. Budd, Wm. Bones, and Benj. Bentley, 
erected a blast furnace in Champion, west of the river, opposite 
Carthage, which was 26 feet square at the base, and 32 feet 
high. It was run but four blasts, the first two on bog ore alone 
when, it was abandoned in 1836. About 1000 tons of iron were 
made at this furnace, with the cold blast. No castings were 
made here. The parties owning it had in Feb. 1833, purchased 
of Aristarchus Champion, about 320 acres, opposite Carthage, 
which was surveyed into a village plat, and sold to parties in 
New York, who caused a new survey and a map to be made by 
Nelson J. Beach. The speculation iailed, and the property re- 
verted to Champion, who sold it to V. Le Ray, the present owner 
of the greater part. This village company procured an act in- 
corporating the West Carthage Iron and Lead Company, with a 
capital of $200,000 in shares of $'500, which was incorporated 
May 15, 1837. The first directors were Ebenezer Jesup, Jr. 
Chauncey Burke, Wolcot Hubbell, Ebenezer Griffin, and Carlos 
Woodcock, and the company was limited in duration to 25 years. 
Nothing was done towards carrying this into effect. 

West Carthage, is now assuming some importance, having 3 
saw mills (one of which is an extensive gang mill, built by Co- 
burn & Rulison, in 1852), 1 grist mill, 2 oil mills, 1 clothing 
works, 1 tannery, 1 cabinet shop, with water power, and an in- 
creasing population. It has a Congregational Church erected in 
1852, at a cost of $2000. 

A society library, was formed Dec. 24, 1823, at Champion 
village, with Martin Ellis, Allen Kilborn, Dorastus Wait, George 
L. Coughlin, and J. P. Johnson, trustees. It has been for seve- 
ral years discontinued. 

Religious Societies. — The first regular religious organization 
in the county, is believed to have been formed in this town, in 
June, 1801, by the Rev. Mr. Bascomb, of Chester, Massachusetts, 



Champion. 133 

who was sent out on a missionary tour by the Ladies' Charitable 
Society, of Connecticut, and on that date formed a Congregational 
Church. The numbers that first composed it were small, and 
only occasional preaching was enjoyed until 1807, when the Rev. 
Nathaniel Button, was ordained. There were present on this 
occasion, the^late Rev. Dr. Norton, of Clinton, N. Y., Mr. Eels, of 
Westmoreland, and one or two others. Mr. Dutton maintained 
frtr nearly forty years, the pastoral relation with this church, and 
became in a great degree identified with the religious movements 
not only of the town, but county, and was instrumental in effect- 
ing numerous church organizations in this section. The fol- 
lowing notice, published soon after his death, was written by the 
Rev. David Spear, of Rodman, who for a period quite as long, 
has labored in the ministry at that place, and whose opportuni- 
ties for knowing the character and worth of the subject of the 
notice were most ample. 

" Died, in Champion, New York, September 9th, 1852, Rev. 
Nathaniel Dutton, aged 73 years, the first settled minister in 
Jefferson County. His parents live in Hartford, Vermont. The 
son, having become pious in early life, devoted himself to the work 
of the ministry, graduated at Dartmouth in 1802, studied theology 
under Dr. Lyman of Hatfield, commenced preaching in 1805 
under the approval of Hampshire Association, was sent by the 
Hampshire Missionary Society to labor in the Black River 
country, and in 1807 was installed pastor of the First Congre- 
gational church in Champion. 

For several years there was almost a continuous revival among 
his people, with constant accessions to the church. In 1817 he 
witnessed a general revival, which in a few months added 168 
members to the church. Abundant as were his pastoral duties, he 
frequently visited destitute regions around him,* to preach the 
word and administer the ordinances, and to organize churches. 
He also made himself useful by directing the studies of young 
men, preparatory to their college course. But few have performed 
more labor, or daily exhibited more of the fruits of righteous- 
ness. His uniformly pious and consistent life gave great weight 
to his pulpit and other instructions. He was a scribe well in- 
structed, rooted and grounded in the doctrines of the Bible, and 
a firm believer in the form of church polity he inherited from 
his Puritan ancestors. He resided with his people forty-six 
years; and although the pastoral relation was dissolved several 
years before his decease, he ever cherished towards them the 
tenderest sympathy and most affectionate regard. He never 
ceased his efforts to win souls to Christ, till compelled by disease. 
The Congregational churches of Carthage and Philadelphia will 
long remember his faithful labors among them in his declining 



134 Champion. 

years. The Consociation to which he belonged, have lost a 
friend and counselor, and a venerated father. His last sickness 
was short but distressing, which he bore with Christian patience 
and submission. He died in the full hope of a olorious immor- 
tality. ' Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his 
saints.' " 

A convention of ministers and churches, assembled at Cham- 
pion, September 22d, 1807, voted a proclamation recommending 
to the inhabitants of the Black River settlements, the observance 
of the first Thursday of December next, as a day of thanks- 
giving and praise. This document set forth in general terms the 
obligations felt toward Divine Providence for the blessings of 
the year, and advised religious services to be performed in the 
several churches. It was signed by a vote of the convention, 
James Murdock, moderator, iS'athaniel Dutton, scribe, and pub- 
lished in the Black River Gazette, at Marti nsburgh, then the 
only paper north of Utica. The governors of the state had not 
then adopted the custom of appointing a day of thanksgiving, 
as is now the invariable custom. 

The First Congregational Society of the town of Champion, 
was formed May 7th, 1805, Jonathan Carter, Abel Crandel, Joel 
Mix, Noadiah Hubbard, Joseph Paddock, and John Canfield, 
being the first trustees. On the 4th of July, 1S07, Champion & 
Storrs conveyed to the town two acres on the summit of a hill, 
that overlooks the village, for the site of a church and a public 
oreen. and it was contemplated to begin the erection of a church 
soon after, but the war that followed, directed attention from the 
object until 1816, in which year Noadiah Hubbard contracted 
to build a church edifice to be paid in the sale of pews, but it 
being expensive he never realized the cost. It was completed 
at a cost of $5000 and dedicated December 25th, 1816. General 
Champion had promised the town a bell, as a compliment for 
having had his name given to it, and this was accompanied by 
the following letter dated Hartford, September 9th, 1816, and 
addressed to Mr. Hubbard. 

" The bell for your meeting house, was shipped from this 
place for Albany, about ten days past. The tongue is made 
fastened to the bell. I expect before this it is in Albany. It 
weighs a little short of 800 pounds, and it is said by Col. Ward 
to be a very good one. The bell they first cast appeared not 
to be as perfect as they wished, and of course they broke it to 
pieces, and cast another. I hope it will arrive safe, and be 
satisfactory to your society. I am, sir, your very humble servant, 

JVoadia'/i Hubbard. Henry Champion." 

The first church being in a bleak and exposed situation, diffi- 
cult of access, and in many respects uncomfortable, was taken 



Clayton. 135 

down in the summer of 1841, and rebuilt in the valley, it hav- 
ing been completed and dedicated in the fall of that year. 

A Baptist church in this town in 1818, reported twenty-five 
members, and the First Baptist Ecclesiastical Society, was 
formed October 16th, 1826, with Moses C. Merrill, Elisha 
Jones, Thomas Campbell, Elisha Bentley, Moses Miller, Sidney 
Hastings, and James Thompson, trustees. There was no house 
of worship erected in town by this order until 1842. A church 
in North Rutland on the 6th of January, 1842, decided to re- 
build at the Great Bend, and formed. January 27th, 1842, a 
society with Cicero Potter, Miner C. Merrill, Thomas P. Fran- 
cis, Daniel Potter, and Henry G. Potter, trustees. In May 1843, 
a subscription was drawn up for this purpose, and in December 
the house was completed and dedicated. It is 36 by 48 feet, 
and cost with fixtures $1400. 

The Methodists first organized a legal society December 30th, 
1825, with M. Andrews, Wilson Pennock, and Josiah Town- 
send, trustees. A second society was formed, April 11th, 1827, 
with Samuel Loomis, William Davis, and Wilson Pennock, 
trustees. A church was built in 1826 or 7, in this town, two 
miles from the Great Bend, at a cost of $700. It is a plain and 
cheap, but comfortable edifice. In the season of 1853, this 
denomination has built a chapel in Champion Village. On the 
South Road in this town a Union church exists. 

The Congregational church of East and West Carthage was 
formed in 1830 by Rev. N. Dutton and J. H. Monroe. A society 
was formed, August 4th, 1838, with C. J. Hewett, Alfred Lath- 
rop, John Vrooman and S. Gilbert, trustees. In 1852, they 
erected a church in West Carthage at a cost of $2000. The 
Rev. J. A. Northrup, C. F. Halsey, W. W T oolcot, N. Dutton, H. 
Doane and H. H. Waite have been employed as stated supplies. 
W'hile Mr. Doane was in charge of this church, he withdrew 
from the Consociation and united with the Presbytery, having 
formed of a portion of the members a Presbyterian church, who 
have an organization in the village of Carthage. 

CLAYTON. 

This town, embracing two-fifths of Penet's Square from the 
west side, with a small tract north and a triangular gore west of 
that patent, was organized from Orleans and Lyme, by an act of 
April 27, 1833, the first town meeting being directed to be held at 
the house of Isaac L. Carter. The name was given in honor of 
the Hon. John M. Clayton, United States Senator from Delaware. 

At the first town meeting, held June 4, 1833, Hubbeil Fox was 
chosen supervisor; B. F. Faxon, clerk; Jesse Noyes, Abram 
Burdick, Bariah Carpenter, Jr., assessors; Caleb Closson, James 



138 Clayton. 

Barney, overseers of poor; Samuel P. Payne, Lloyd B. Traver, 
Elkanah Corbin, commissioners of highways; Alfred Fox, John 
Consaul, Jr., Joseph Mason, corn's schools; Nathan B. Morton, 
Josiah Farer, David Baker, inspector of schools; Erastus Warner, 
collector. 

Supervisors.— 1833-4, Hubbell Fox; 1835, Edward C. Ban- 
croft; 1S36, Eldridge G. Merrick; 1839, Henry D. Van Camp; 
1840-1, E. G. Merrick; 1842, Woodbridge C. George; 1843-4, 
Alfred Fox; 1845, E. G. Merrick; 1846, Alfred Fox; 1847, 
Erastus Warner; 1848, James Plumb; 1849-53, Alfred Fox; 
1853, at a special town meeting, May 17, Luke E. Fra.ne, to fill 
vacancy. 

From an intimation on page 3S, of this volume, it is learned 
that at an ancient period there was an Indian fort at French 
Creek in this town, but of the date and details, or even the locality, 
we know nothing. In 1799* there was a single log hut at this 
place, probably that of some timber thieves, who plundered the 
frontier without restraint or limit, during many years before any 
one appeared to show title. Mr. Nathan Ford, the pioneer of 
Ogdensburgh, in a letter to Samel Ogden on this subject, dated 
Dec. 27, 1799, wrote: 

" There are several persons now cutting timber upon the two 
upper townships. I have no authority to say any thing about the 
matter; but vast injury will take place upon the townships, and 
if there are not measures taken immediately, not less than thirty 
or forty thousand staves, over and above the square timber which 
is now getting, that will be taken off. Mr. Wilkins, took 
down the names of several who pretended to settle; their motive 
was only stealing off the timber. The thing is now working as 
I told him would be the case, and if something is not done about 
this business, great destruction will arise. An example ought to 
be made, and this can not be done without sending an officer 
from Fort Stanwix. They have got the timber so boldly that 
they say there is no law that can be executed upon them here." 

To Governeur Morris he wrote, July 16, 1800. 

" I was in hopes I should have heard something about the road, 
before now. If there were a land communication to the Mohawk 
River, we should all experience less depredations. The difficulty 
of a communication to the southern part of the state, is well known 
to the timber thieves, and they count upon the almost impossi- 
bility of bringing them to justice." 

As these lands were not within Ford's jurisdiction he could 
only advise in the matter, but in one or two instances, in which 
he was directly interested, he took summary measures in hand, 
and adopted a course that put an effectual stop to these robberies. 

* History ofSt. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. 262. 



Clayton. 137 

In the portion of this town embraced in Penet Square, there 
was more of this lawless plunder, because for several years after 
the tract began to settle, there was no resident agent, or acknow- 
ledged owner. This state of things led to many abuses, and gave 
rise to incidents that will be specified in our account of Orleans, 
which then comprised the whole tract. 

The first permanent settlement in Clayton was made in 1801 
or 2, by Bartlet, at a place still called Bartlet' s Point, about a 
mile from Clayton Village. He had been placed there by Smith 
and Delamater, land agents at Chaumont, to keep a ferry to 
Gannonoqui, but after staying a year or two, set fire to his house, 
as tradition says, and ran away by its light. 

In the winter of 1803-4 Smith and Delamater undertook the 
erection of a saw mill, on Wheeler Creek, near its mouth, in the 
present town of Clayton. The expense attending this measure, 
embarrassed them considerably, and contributed to their subse- 
quent failure. 

The first industrial operations at French Creek, of any magni- 
tude, were commenced a few months before the war. 

On the 3d of Feb. 1812, a contract w T as executed between 
Le Ray and Richard Cummings, a Canadian, and Noadiah Hub- 
bard, of Champion,«allowing the latter to take from certain lots 
in the vicinity of French Creek, as much timber for rafting as 
they might desire, by paying $35 per thousand feet, for squared 
yellow pine timber; $50 per thousand for white oak; and $8 per 
thousand for white and yellow pine spars. A large number of 
laborers and several teams were employed during the spring, and 
early in the season, 12,000 to 15,000 'feet of pine, 1000 feet of 
white oak, and 21 masts were ready for market, besides a large 
quantity got out but left in the woods. Capt. Hubbard was 
drafted with his company of minute men. The raft was however 
got as far down as Louisville, when it was seized and detained, 
and subsequently proved a total loss, at least to its American 
owner. Lumbering had begun on Penet Square in 1809. 

In 1820 Win. H. Angel commenced lumber business and opened 
a small store on the creek, a short distance above the point, the site 
of the present village having been reserved and lotted for a town, 
by Le Ray, who at that time was not prepared to sell. This 
measure was hastened by a plan of selling in lots, Washington 
Island adjacent, and owned by Col. Elisha Camp, the patentee 
of the island, who in 1824 begun, and in 1826 finished a bridge 
to the island. Business had begun to be established atthispoint, 
when Mr. Le Ray thought proper to open the reserved lands for 
sale. In Jan. 1822, when the plat was first offered for sale in 
lots, the place contained three stores, a tavern, post office &c, 
and was the centre of an active lumber trade. The village and 
10 



138 Clayton. 

post office was in 1823 named Cornela, but in 1831 the name 
was changed to Clayton, which it lias since retained. In the 
primitive patent of Penel, the creek and bay is named II eterin- 
ghra Guentere, and on some old map it is named Dumas (.'reek. 
It has very generally been known till the present lime as French 
Creek, but it is losing this gradually, in 1825 a stone school 
house was built and the first school taught. 

An interesting article, dated Match 20, 1835, and published 
in the Watertown Eagle, on the authority of E. C. Bancrolt, A. 
O. Blair. E. G. Meirick, J. A. Brewster, and T. M. Reade, a 
committee appointed to prepare a census, and collect the hisloiy 
and statistics of the village of Clayton (French Creek), aiibrd.s 
many valuable data, which become the more interesting with 
time, and will serve as a standard by which to compare the growth 
of that spirited and enterprising place. A portion of the report 
only can be quoted. 

"Less than ten years ago, the ground where now stands our 
village was without a single house, and was, we are informed by 
one of our first settlers, an almost impenetrable marsh. Now, 
93 buildings (most of which are two stories high, well finished 
and painted), are situated on the same ground, and occupied by 
73 families, making a total population of 426, which gives to it, 
at least, the appearance of a thriving and business little village, 
and we may, without detracting from the merits of our neighboring 
villages, say, that not one in the county can show greater im- 
provements in the same period of time, than our own. Although 
Ave have dated ihe period of the commencement of our village 
ten years back, yet we should observe that, although it began to 
settle at about that time, it did not assume any appearance of a 
village until the years 1829, "30, and although business to a very 
considerable amount was transacted prior to that time, in and 
about the Bay of French Creek, yet we may say, and say truly, 
that our village has attained its present size within a period of 
five years, at which time we have ascertained, that not more than 
30 inhabitants resided here. This being the case, then our popula- 
tion, in that time, has increased near ten fold, and that increase, 
we believe (although we have not the means at hand to ascertain 
that fact), to be equal, if not greater, than the western villages 
in this state, in the same space of time, when their rapid growth 
was considered very extraordinary. 

In appearance and size, our village has also kept pace with its 
increase of population. Six years ago there were 9 buildings in 
this place; we now number 43 dwelling houses, 6 stores, 3 gro- 
ceries, 3 taverns, 1 steam furnace, capable of melting 4 tons of 
iron per day, 1 machine shop, 1 ship smith's shop, 1 blacksmith's 
shop, 3 shoe shops, 2 tailor shops, 1 chair shop, 2 cabinet shops, 



Clayton. 139 

1 butcher shop, 1 bakery, a school house, 5 large and commodious 
wharves, and within 1 mile of the village, 3 saw mills. Efforts 
are now making to build a church, and from the known liberality 
of our citizens, we doubt not but their efibrts will be successful, 
and within a year an edifice, worthy of their liberality, will add, 
as it certainly will, both to (he respectability and appearance of 
the place. Every branch of business as well as mechanical pur- 
suits which we have enumerated, appear to be in successful 
operation, rendering to the operatives a liberal remuneration for 
their instruments and labor. We next come to the business 
transactions of the place, which are by no means inconsiderable. 
During the last year the actual amount of capital invested in this 
business, at a low estimate, is found to be $475,000. The exports to 
foreign markets from this port amount the last year to $275,000. 
The aggregate amount of merchandise and other commodities, 
sold at this place the past year, amounts to $'100,000. The 
tonnage of vessels (independent, of the different steam boats which 
have entered and discharged their cargoes at this port during the 
same year) amounts to 60,000 tons. In 1834 there were owned 
in this port 7 schooners, 1 brig and 1 steam boat, making an 
aggregate of 1000 tons. Within four years there has been built 
at the ship yard in this place, up to the present year, 6 schooners, 
of about 100 tons each, 1 canal boat and 1 steam boat, and there 
are now being built 5 schooners, at an average cost of $4,300 
each, making an expenditure of about $70,000, for ship building 
alone " 

After enumerating the peculiar facilities, afforded by the loca- 
tion for trade with Kingston, and other points on the lake and 
river, they express the belief that the want of water power, 
hitherto felt, might be overcome by constructing a dam at the 
mouth of the creek, which might also serve the purpose of a 
bridge, the cost of which was estimated at $2,460. The report 
ended with the following language. 

"Whenever the advantages, which it has been found we pos- 
sess, are improved, a new impetus will necessarily be given to 
the business as well as the growth of our village, and were we 
disposed to speculate upon what our village will be five years 
hence, we might incur a charge of being influenced by visionary 
and idle prospects. But aside from any contemplated advantages, 
we think there are those which the place already possesses, suffi- 
cient to give our village still further improvements, by no means 
inconsiderable, both as to the business and the appearance of the 
place. We have that which is indispensably necessary for the 
growth and prosperity of all villages; and that is, a rich and 
fertile country, adjacent to, and around us, which is becoming 
well settled by industrious and worthy inhabitants. The com- 



140 Clayton. 

mercial operations on the lakes and river, are rapidly increasing', 
and with all our natural advantages, for the transaction of this 
branch of business, together with citizens of enterprise, allowing 
our improvements to be such only as business will warrant, and 
require, we can not but think our improvements for the future 
will have a comparison with the past, and that there are induce- 
ments for the investment of capital and opportunities tor men of 
business." 

The business of ship building began at Clayton in 1832, by 
Smith & Merrick, and has been since continued, giving employ- 
ment to about a hundred men. From two to four vessels have 
been built here annually, making a total of from sixty to seventy, 
including most of the splendid steamers ot the Ontario and St. 
Lawrence Steam Boat Company's lines. This business began 
here at about the time when the burdensome tonnage duties upon 
the lakes, amounting almost to a prohibition, had been removed 
in part through the influence of the Hon. Joseph Hawkins of 
Henderson, w T ho represented this district in Congress. From this 
time there existed no limit to the size of vessels, but that of the 
locks of the Welland Canal. The first vessels built here were 
the Jesse Smith and Horatio Gates, in 3832. The Franklin, 
Jefferson, Willet, Monroe, Madison, Cleopatra, Morgiana, D. 
Webster, Robert Wood, E. G. Merrick, Oneida, Western, St. 
Lawrence, John Oades, D. N. Barney, Niagara, Superior, Invin- 
cible, New York, Quebec, Manchester, Utica, Reindeer, Oneida 
Chief, America, Flying Cloud, Sovereign of the Lakes, Northern 
Light, White Cloud, White Squall, and Thousand Islands, have 
since been built. 

The principal ship builder for several years has been Mr. John 
Oades, and most of the vessels have been constructed for the firm 
of Fowler and Esselstyn. To secure the privileges of a coasting 
trade with Canada, which are granted to vessels that are built on 
British soil only, a ship yard was several years since opened by 
the same parties at the foot of Wolf or Grand Island, in Canada, 
and four or five miles above this port. There is also a 'rafting 
station at the same place, which has been established for the 
purpose of evading the duties to which Canadian timber would 
be liable, if made up into rafts, and despatched from an American 
port. 

The steamers that have been built at Clayton, are the Niagara, 
473 tons; Cataract, 577 tons; Ontario, 832 tons; Bay State, 
900 tons, and JXew York, 994 tons. The steamers British Queen, 
279 tons, and British Empire, 330 tons, with the brigs Quebec 
and Manchester, and other craft, have been built at Wolf Island. 
The aggregate amount of tonnage built for the above firm since 
1849, has been nearly 8000 tons, and the business is still actively 



Clayton. 141 

pursued. This ship building gives employment to a great num- 
ber of mechanics. The bay of French Creek has been since 
1S24, a very important lumbering station for hewn timber and 
oak staves, which have been mostly brought here in vessels, from 
the upper lakes and from Canada, and made up into rafts for 
Quebec, where it was again loaded in vessels for foreign market. 
Some idea may be formed of the magnitude of this business from 
the fact that a single firm, employing 300 men, sent off a raft of 
from 18 to 24 cribs every eight days during the season of rafting, 
which lasted from midsummer till September. Staves are rafted 
on pine floats, 52 feet long, and holding 6000 standard pieces. 
A raft of oak timber required pine timber to make it buoyant 
enough to pass the rapids, and one of these would sometimes in- 
clude 100,000 cubic feet. The time occupied in descending is 
three or four weeks, and Indian pilots were commonly employed 
in the more difficult rapids. The year 1826, was remarkable for 
its reverses, which ruined many lumbermen. In 1841 and 1S46, 
Congress passed laws that checked the business of rafting Canada 
lumber on our shores, by requiring duties to be paid. The busi- 
ness that formerly centered in the bay of French Creek, has 
accordingly been divided, a part going to Garden Island, near 
Kingston, and a part to the foot of Wolf Island. The business 
at present gives employment to about 100 men in making up 
rafts, and a fleet of eighteen vessels in bringing the timber from 
the upper lakes. From 60,000 to 80,000 cubic feet of hewn 
timber and a million of standard staves* are sent annually. 

Rafts are sent less frequently, but larger, now than formerly, 
sometimes including 35 drams, each 50 by 200 feet, which are 
propelled by the current, by sails, and sometimes by towing. In 
passing the rapids, the raft is separated into sections or drams of 
two cribs each, and passed singly. The business of rafting, at 
Clayton, is now mostly carried on by E. G. Merrick, Esq., and 
associates, who since 1828, have conducted a large business at 
this village in lumbering, ship building, and merchandise. 

The village of Clayton is regularly laid out, and has at present 
a population of about 1000. It is the proposed terminus of the 
Black River and Utica Rail Road, is a landing for all the American 
steamers on the lake, and in some respects it offers inducements 
for business, which no other place in the county affords. The 
Baptists, Methodists, and Catholics, have each a church in the 
village. It was surveyed by Clark W. Candie in 1824, and re- 
surveyed in 1833 by Oliver Child. 

Near this village commences the head of the Thousand Isles, 
many of which are in sight, presenting a very picturesque ap- 

*A standard stave is 5| feet long, 5| inches wide, and 2 inches thick. 



] 42 Clayton. 

pearance, and directly opposite is Grindstone Island, one of the 
largest of the group, being upwards of five miles in length, and 
from two to three in breadth. This island, with Wells Island, 
and many others were claimed by the St. Regis Indians at an 
early day, and leased by their agent to British subjects, for long 
terms of years. Upon survey of the boundary in 1818, they were 
found to belong to our government, and in "1823, upon these islands 
being patented by the state, in pursuance of an agreement with 
Macomb, difficulties arose that threatened for a time to result in 
serious measures, and which have been known locally as the War 
of Grindstone Island. A quantity of pine timber had been cut, 
and prepared for rafting, which was claimed by the patentee, but 
was refused to be given up by those in whose possession it was. 
Finding it probable that any attempt to serve legal papers upon 
the parties alledged to be trespassers would be resisted, a detach- 
ment of militia'from Lyme, under Capt. S. Green, was called out. 
The timber had mostly been passed over into British waters, and 
after some firing, the party in charge of the timber dispersed. 
One of the militia men was accidentally killed by his own gun. 
The question subsequently became a subject of litigation, and was 
finally settled by arbitration. 

Another incident occured in this town, that has its parallel 
only in the theft of a town meeting, as related of Brownville. 
A saw mill had been erected in the vicinity, it is said upon a 
verbal agreement, which subsequently became a subject of dif- 
ference between Mr. La Farge, the proprietor, and the lumber- 
man. The latter resolved that he would neither comply with the 
terms demanded, nor allow others to enjoy the fruits of his labors, 
and early one morning not long after, the timbers of a saw mill 
were seen floating in the bay, no one professing to know 
how they came there and it is supposed to have been in some 
way connected with spiritual manifestations, more especial- 
ly as spirits were often brought in quantities in this place for 
smuggling into Canada. 

The islands in this vicinity have many associations connected 
with the war of 1812, and affairs growing out of the Fatriot 
movement, which will be detailed in our chapters on this subject. 
An engagement occurred between General Brown's advanced 
guard of Wilkinson's expedition, and the British at this place, 
late in 1813, of w r hich we give the details elsewhere. During 
the embargo period of 1808, the old French Road, that had been 
cut through in a nearly direct line from the High Falls to the 
river at this point, became a thoroughfare for teams laden with 
potash, and this contraband trade continued with comparative 
impunity till the commercial restriction was removed. 

Penet's Square Corners on the Bay of French Creek near this 



■a ■■!■■■£ 



Clayton. I 43 

place, and the proprietors of that tract anticipating that this 
property wotlld possess value as the site tor a m^uo™ «„„„ 
town, subdivided four of the mile squares near-S 
est the cornel', the one on the bay into 0*4 lots.f 
often acres each, and the three others into 16f 
lots of 40 acres each. In balloting for a divi- 
sion, each owner drew a proportionate number 
of these lots, which like the large tract weref 
numbered from west to east and back, commen- 
cing at the north-west and ending at the south west corners. 
These subdivisions are shown in the annexed sketch. 

Depauville, on Chaumont River, at the head of boat naviga- 
tion, and six miles above Chaumont Bay, was named from Fran- 
cis Depau, an importing merchant and capitalist of New York, 
who purchased 15 lots on Penet's Square. This place, at first, 
bore the name of Cat Fisk Falls, by which it is still sometimes 
called. The creek above the place is still called Cat Fish Creek. 
The first improvement was begun by Simon and Jared White, 
who came on as trespassers to get out lumber, but being warned 
off by the agent, left a large amount of hewn limber that rotted 
on the ground. From this place they removed to Three Mile 
Point on Chaumont Bay, where, after a short sojourn, they 
started in May, 1817, for the west, in an open boat. The party 
consisted of the brothers, their mother, wives, and children, 11 
in all, and had arrived in Houndsfield, a mile or two beyond 
Sackets Harbor, where they put up for the night. After leaving 
this place they were never seen alive. There were many disso- 
lute sailors and soldiers, lounging about the neighborhood, their 
boat was found robbed of household goods, several hundred dol- 
lars in the possession of the men were gone, and their bodies 
exhibited unmistakable marks of violence. The children were 
found drowned, but the bodies of the women were never found. 
These circumstances, warranted the belief of robbery and mur- 
der, but although the excitement was intense and general, 
nothing occurred to settle suspicion upon any party sufficient to 
warrant an arrest. 

In IS 16, Nathaniel Norton, Jr., who had previously been a 
merchant at Russia, New York, came as agent of C. H. &, E. 
Wilkes, owners of 12,000 acres on Penet's Square, and ad- 
joining Depauville.* Soon after, David and Nathaniel Holbrook 
came to the Falls, and with their father, under a contract of 
Alexander Le Ray, the agent of Depau, erected a rude apology 
for a saw and grist mill, but upon failure of payment, the 
premises were sold in 1824 to Stephen Johnson and Peter Mar- 

* Hispower of attorney is dated June 20th, 1820 



144 Clayton. 

tin, who had located as merchants and lumbermen. At this 
time there were but two or three log houses and the rude mills. 
In 1824, Mr. Johnson built a stone mill, which in 1851 was 
burned, and the year following replaced by the present mills. 

At Depauville, and vicinity, the materials for the manufacture 
of water lime, exist in vast quantities, constituting an important 
geological formation. In 1835, the manufacture of this article 
was commenced by Stephen Johnson of this place, Mr. King, 
formerly of Onondaga County, Joel Murray and Jared House of 
Lowville. Mr. Johnson was interested to the extent of one half, 
and two mills were fitted up for grinding it. During two years 
that the business continued, about 1000 barrels were made, and 
mostly used in the construction of cisterns in this and neighbor- 
ing towns. This was the first enterprise of the kind in the 
county. At a future time it may give employment for the indus- 
try of great numbers, and a profitable source of investment of 
capital. 

Depauville is 6 miles from Chauraont; 6 from La Fargeville; 
8 from Clayton; 6 from Stone Mills; 9 Limerick, and 11 from 
Brownville. 

Religious Societies. — A Methodist Society was formed in 
Clayton, December 20, 1833, with Silas F. Spicer, Amos 
Reynolds, Willis Howard, James H. Fuller, and Amos Gillet, 
trustees. A society of the same denomination was formed at 
Depauville, November 25, 1834, with Martin Spicer, Abel F. 
How, Caleb Closson, Wareham Case, and Timothy O'Connor, 
trustees. Churches were built by each of these, here, and four 
miles south, toward the Perch River settlements. In 1835, a 
Congregational Church was formed of members residing in this 
town and Orleans, by the Rev. Marcus Smith of Watertown. 

A Free Communion Baptist church was formed in August, 1820, 
by Elder Amasa Dodge, of Lowville, consisting at first of four- 
teen members. He was succeeded by Elders Russel Way, Jacob 
Overocker, Welcome Pigley, S. B. Padding, Samuel Hart, Ansel 
Griffith, and N. H. Abbey. The present number is 73. A so- 
ciety was formed August 26, 1841, with Nahum D. Williams, 
Phineas A. Osborn, and Helon Norton, trustees; and in Decem- 
ber, 1848, it was reorganized. In 1838, a union church was 
built of stone at Depauville, Mr. Depau contributing $500 
towards its cost. The Universaiists at pit-sent own a quarter, 
the Free Will Baptists a half, and the Congregationalists and 
Baptists the remainder. It cost $2,200. In 1852, the Method- 
ists erected a new church at this village, at a cost of $2,400. 
This denomination is much the most numerous in town. 

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Clayton, and 
Orleans, was formed March 11, 1841, with Henry Haas, Val- 
entine Baldtuff, E and Nicholas Lehr, trustees. The Evangelical 



EUisburgh. 145 

Church in Clayton was formed December 21, 1841, with John 
Haller, Valentine Dorr, Jr., and Andrew Baltz, trustees. Both 
of these have erected houses of worship between Depauville 
and La Fargeville. 

The Third Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Clayton was formed October 5, 1840, with E. G. Merrick, John 
N. Fowler, Perry Caswell, John Wilson, Fairfield Hartford, 
Woodbridge C. George, and Adonijah Brush, trustees. They 
own a, convenient and elegant church edifice in the village of 
Clayton. 

The First Baptist Society, of Clayton Village, was formed 
October 6, 1840, with Dillino D. Calvin, Henry Hubbert, Henry 
Walt, Edward Burchell, and Alpheus R. Calvin, trustees. A 
church was formed of seventeen members, by Rev. E. G. Blount 
(who has since been pastor), February 14, 1843. The first church 
in the village was built by Baptists and Methodists, but the 
former, having sold their interest in 1847, built a church at a 
cost of $2,000. The present number (July 1853) is 117; total, 
since beginning, about 200. A small Baptist church has existed 
several years at Depauville, which was formed by Mr. Blount. 

The Catholics erected a church in Clayton Village in 1841, and 
are considerably numerous. 

Ellisbukgh. 

This town, embracing Minos and Henderson (No. 6, as desig- 
nated on the surveyer general's map), was erected from Mexico, 
into a township on the 22d of Feb. 1803,- the first town meeting- 
being directed to be held at the house of Lyman Ellis, at which 
the following town officers were chosen: Edward Boomer, super- 
visor; Lyman Ellis, clerk; Caleb Ellis and Amos B. Noyes, 
overseers of the poor; Jeremiah Mason, Samuel Rhodes, and Benj. 
Boomer, comniisioners highways; Matthew Boomer, constable and 
collector; Abiah Jenkins, constable; John Thomas, Christopher 
Edmonds, and Dyer McCumber,ye?ice viewers; C. Ellis, Jeremiah 
Mason, Timothy Harris, Benj. Boomer, D. McCumber, Joseph 
Holley, overseers of h igh icays. 

Supervisors. — 1S03, Edward Boomer; 1804, 5, Lyman Ellis; 
1806, Nathaniel Wood; 1807, L. Ellis; 1808, 9, Joseph Allen; 
1810, Orimal Brewster; 1811-14, Lyman Ellis; 1815, 16, Eben- 
ezer Wood; 1S17, L. Ellis; 1S1S-20, Pardon Earl; 1821, E. 
Wood; 1822,23, P. Earl; 1S24-29, WadsworthMayhew; 1830, 
Daniel Wardwell; 1S31-36, Jotham Bioelow; 1837, Ezra 
Stearns; 1838, Samuel Hackley; 1839, E.Stearns; 1840, Wm. 
C. Pierrepont; 1841, 42, Ezra Stearns; 1S43, Wm. C. Pierrepont; 
1S44, JohnLittlefield; 1845, James Jones; 1846, 47, Wm. C. 
Pierrepont; 1848, 49, John Clark; 1S50, Alvah Bull; 1851, 52, 
James J. Steele; 1853, Alexander Dickinson. 



146 



Elhsburgh . 



Wolf bounties of $2-50 in 1803; of* $15 in 1807, S; of $10 in 
1811, 12. In 1804, 5, "Resolved, that the method of voting shall 
be by each person's passing round anil naming the persons he 
would wish to elect, to nil the several offices.." In 1816 voted 
to build a town house. 

This town derives its name from Lyman Ellis, of Troy, who 
settled as a proprietor in 1797. ant! who afterwards for several 
years acted as an agent. He died in town, March 13, 1847, 
aged 87. His character is briefly summed up in his epitaph '- 
"Modesty, honesty, and charity, adorned his walk in life." 

On the 11th of April 1796, Marvel Ellis,* of Troy, N. Y., con- 
tracted with Wm. Constable, for the purchase ot this town, 
excepting a marshy tract, each side of Sandy Creek, near the 
lake, which was afterwards included, and a tract of 3000 acres, 
in the south-west corner, sold to Brown and Eddy. The sum of 
$22,lir50 was paid, and a lived given, March 22, 1797, upon 
which a mortgage was given back upon the balance, amounting 
to $98,94345. This mortgage embarrassed the early sales, and 
confidence was not restored, until the property had reverted to 
the Constable estate, some years afterwards. 

The greater part of the town was surveyed by Calvin Guiteau, 
in 1796, except the eastern part, that was surveyed by Nelson 
Doolittle, and the 3000 acre tract in 1800, by Benjamin Wright, 
of Rome; the latter, in 1S0S, surveyed the whole town. A 
proposition had been received from Moody Freeman, for the 
purchase of the town, but a bargain was not effected. The town, 
including the marshes, which in dry seasons afford wild grass, but 
which are often flowed, contains 54,721f acres. The field notes 
of Guiteau, made in 1796, contain the following memoranda. 

Lot 23 (three miles above Ellis Village). "About 5 chains 
west, from the north east corner, are falls often or twelve feet, but 
not perpendicular more than four or five feet, which do not 
obstruct the salmon, as I found many above." 

Lot 34 (next west of 23). "About 20 chains from the west 
line is a small fall in the creek, where the water is confined to a 
narrow channel, and then expands out, forming a depth of ten or 
twelve feet of water of a smooth rocky bottom, and filled with 
innumerable multitude of salmon, the clearness of the water 
being such that they may be seen in any part of it." In the 
early settlement of the country these fish ascended as far up as 
the town of Rodman, but since the erection of dams and mills, 
they have scarcely appeared in Sandy Creek. 

In the spring of 1797, Marvel and Lyman Ellis, brothers, and 
both interested in the purchase, found their way into town, the 

* Marvel Ellis died in Utica, in 1806, aged 46; be removed there in 1803. 






EUisburgh. 147 

latter with the view of permanent settlement. In the fall of the 
same year, Caleb Ellis, having met with Lyman Ellis, at Rome, 
was casually introduced with the expectation that a relationship 
existed, but none was found; yet the interview resulted in an 
invitation to settle in the new town. Caleb Ellis accordingly 
visited the town, and selected a farm on the south branch of 
Sandy Creek, at a place ^here one Waldo had the year previous 
erected a hut for hunting. 

Many men were employed by Lyman Ellis the same season, 
who had at its close built a dam and saw mill, three-fourths of a 
mile below the present site of Ellis Village, and the mill was got 
in operation the same fall, but was partly swept oil' early the 
next spring by a Hood. In the winter of 1797-8, Win. Hicks, 

with Buller and B. Pierce, remained in town, and in the 

spring of 1798, Caleb Ellis and family, Robert Fulton, Elijah 
Richardson, Hezekiah Pierce, Chauncey Smith, Win. Root, Vial 
Salisbury, Isaac Waddle, Abram Wilcox, two men by the name 
of Thornton, and others, came into town with Lyman Ellis, to 
rebuild the mill, and erect a grist mill, but neatly all were taken 
sick, and the pioneers were reduced to great suffering from want 
of provisions and necessary medical attendance. 

The first death in EUisburgh, was Mary, a young daughter of 
Caleb Ellis, and the first death of an adult, was that of Samantha 
Howard. The first birth is said to have been that of Ontario 
Pierce, a son of Hezekiah Pierce, in the summer of 1798. For 
the instruction of those who attach faith to sayings, we would 
notice that it is related as said by an old Indian, " that once in 
thirty years," there had been noticed a period of sickness among 
such of their number as had sojourned here. Whether this was 
said before or after the sickly season of 182S, we are not in- 
formed. 

To supply the place of mills, Mr. Ellis and his settlers con- 
structed, after models of their own device, those primitive mortars, 
used from necessity in all new settlements, and made by boring 
and burning a cavity into the top of a hard wood stump, over 
which was suspended a pestle by a spring pole. With much 
difficulty, during the season, the saw mill was again fitted up, 
and the dam rebuilt; the iron and heavy freight as well as the 
furniture of settlers, having been brought into town in open 
boats by way of Wood Creek and Oswego. 

On the 11th of September, 1798, Marvel Ellis wrote to Con- 
stable as follows: 

" We have a good dam across the creek, which has been ex- 
pensive; a good saw mill, well finished, and running, and have 
done considerable towards a grist mill. We have on the same 
lot a large and handsome improvement, have had a fine crop of 



148 Ellisburgh. 

wheat, and have very fine corn. The people that are on the land, 
have good improvements for the time and are industrious. I in- 
close you an account of the small sales to the settlers, the price 
sold for, and what has been received, which is a small sum in 
proportion to what has been laid out on the land; if people would 
have been satisfied of having a release from the mortgage, by 
paying you, we should have had sufficient to have made the pre- 
sent payment now due. The remainder of the money due from 
these settlers, is due within a year. We wish you to give us 
some further indulgence, and something to convince people that 
you will release from the mortgage on receiving payment, which 
will enable us to make payments for the land, and make a large 
settlement soon." 

Inclosed in the foregoing was the following list, with the num- 
ber of acres taken up by each. Joseph Caldwell, 60; Wm. Hicks, 
51; John G. Hayward, 150; Caleb Ellis, 126; Neal Salsbury, 
100; Elijah Petty bone, 100; John Paddock, 50: Isaac Souther- 
land, 130; Asahel Humphrey, 419; Elisha Phillips, 100; Levi 
Root, 140; Hez Peirce, 149. 

The first corn and potatoes raised in the county by the present 
race of settlers, was by Lyman Ellis in 1797, who also, in 1798, 
was probably the first to raise winter wheat. 

The winter of 1798-9 was one of remarkable severity. Snow 
fell on the 29th of Oct. and lasted till the 20 of April. A settler 
in town (Gideon Howard) having been to Rome, was returning 
when the first snow fell, and was overtaken by night in the woods 
near Little Sandy Creek, 5 miles from home. In the morning 
the snow had fallen nearly four feet, and was so light that it was 
impossible to travel in it. He had only provision enough to last 
home without obstruction, and was detained three days, endeav- 
oring to struggle through, having constructed a pair of snow 
shoes which however were of little avail. When he reached 
home he was nearly exhausted from fatigue and hunger. 

In the spring of 1799, the dam of Ellis was again swept off, 
and the mill partly destroyed when this and the frame of a grist mill 
were removed to the present village above, and the latter was 
got in operation about 1803. 

Many interesting details of the early settlement of this town 
and county, are given in the following extracts from the diary 
of James, the brother of Wm. Constable, who in 1803-4-5-6, 
made tours in the summer months through these northern counties, 
on business connected with the estate of his deceased brother, of 
which he was one of the executors. The original copy is owned 
by Henry E. Pierrepont, Esq. of Brooklyn, who has allowed us to 
make the following extracts. 



EJlisburgh. 149 

* * * September 5th, 1803. "Our course was west for some time, till 
we got to town No. 11 (Orwell), and I began to feel interested before we 
got there. The country was very pleasant, fine forests of large timber, 
and no underwood or brush, so that although the road was no better 
than a rugged path, and not a creature to be seen, I felt much pleased, 
as we journeyed on at the rate of two and a half miles per hour. We 
could not well judge of the soil, but by the timber it was covered with, 
which is principally maple, and beech, with a small portion of hemlock, 
which denotes good soil. * * * After travelling some miles, I had at 
last the gratification of seeing a settler here (in No. 10, or Sandy Creek). 
Three men were cutting and burning huge piles of enormous trees. 
Ellis being acquainted with them, we went and staid in their hut, which 
was about 12 feet square, built of logs; no chimney, and but very little 
furniture. There were two beds, in one of which a man and wife slept, 
and in the other the other two men. One man was distant from his 
family 70 miles. They had a contract from B. Wright for 500 acres at 
12s being first settlers, and from their appearance and character, I 
think the land well sold, for they are the right sort to settle the country. 
We dined on salt pork, with good bread, butter, and chocolate, much to 
my satisfaction. 

We left them at 4 o'clock for Ellisburgh, 9 miles distant, and soon 
after it began to rain quite hard, and continued till we got home. From 
the timber and appearances of this town I thought it superior in soil to 
any we had passed. I had the satisfaction to find that settlers and all 
other people find it equal to their wishes. We retired to bed about 8 
o'clock and slept well. It was my intention the next morning to have 
gone to see every man in the settlement, but this was unnecessary, for 
immediately after breakfast, many of them came, and some from a con- 
siderable distance. 

September Gth. Had several consultations with the settlers, who seemed 
well pleased with my coming, and satisfied with my explanations. I 
heard of a daughter of one of them who had been seized with a fit and 
lay speechless for the preceeding twenty-four hours. There was no 
doctor on the town, and they had to send twenty miles twice, to one who 
was from home. This affected me much and determined me to propose 
encouraging one to settle here, when I meet the Co-ex'rs. Perhaps a 
lot of 50 acres, given to one, would be well bestowed. A parson will 
also soon be applied for. I find Ellis's house and mills good buildings, 
but unfinished, but he hopes soon to complete them. They are valuable 
and should be kept up. He will be useful here, and I think has some 
strong claims upon us, as I shall explain. 

September 7th. Went after breakfast to see Lake Ontario 5 miles distant, 
and was much pleased with it. A steady west gale blew up the white 
caps, which contrasting with the sea green color of the water, had a 
fine effect. As far as the eye could reach, and the country about us 
either fine forests, or well cultivated. The more J see of the town, tho 
more I am satisfied of its value. After my return I saw the rest of the 
settlers, who seemed to come prepared for disappointment, but were 
soon relieved, and after some explanations, they went away perfectly 
satisfied. -I am convinced this property is extremely valuable, and will 
settle immediately, now that they feel themselves free from the danger 
of title. About roads I do not know what to say. * * * Mr. Ellis has 
lived here nearly six years, and all he has received from our testator has 
been $221, for commission on lands sold. A lot was promised him 
upon condition of his coming to reside, but he never got a deed for it, 
though his mills were first erected there from whence they have been 



150 Ellisburgh. 

since removed to where they now are. He now rsks the ex'rs for a 
conveyance for the lot promised, being No. 94, and for time to pay the 
above balance, the security tor which is ample, as his bindings are 
valued at $'2 000 and the title to the lot they are upon is still with the. 
executors.- 

There are about 40 families on the town, most of them poor, but of 
that description of people fit to settle a new country; few comforts 
about them, and they seem to have few wants; no liquor is to lie had, 
and thev have not \et begun to distill, nor are there any apples to make 
cider, so that their only drink is water, with which they seem content. 
They do not hesitate about the price of $3, but paying .} down is very 
difficult for most of them. There are good horned cattle amongst them, 
the horses indifferent, but the only ones fit for a new country. They do 
not seem to regard distance, and go 9 or 10 miles backward and forward 
daily, over roads that are nearly impassable. 

I regretted much to find some cases of the lake fever, and too many 
of the fever and ague. I saw two families laid up with the latter, but it. 
is admitted to have declined annually, and will, I trust, soon disappear. 
The crops of wheat and corn are very fine. 1 ate of new corn on the 
Hth of September. 80 bushels of corn have been produced on an acre, 
but 50 is about the general run. They had not yet turned much of their 
land to meadow, as they get sufficient hay on the marshes near the lake, 
which are considered a kind of common, though they belong to us. The 
town is extremely well watered by the two branches of Sandy Creek, 
but they are the only constant streams,* and care must be taken that the 
lots on these waters are not all sold off, and the others left, for the latter 
would not sell. Perhaps a new allotment would be advisable. 

September 8th. Left Ellisburgh at 4 P. M. for Capt. Boomer's, five miles 
distant, where I slept. This man owned about 100 acres in the town, 
upon which he improved about 15 acres, and the other improvements are, 
a log house, with some small buildings. He has sold the whole for 
$900, receiving the great part down, the remainder well secured. Other 
instances of the value they set upon small improvements might be men- 
tioned, such as another man refusing $r200 for 150 acres, with little 
more done than the above, but they will be better detailed by conversation. 

September 9th. Leit Boomer's to travel by the state road which passes 
from Ellisburgh through town 7 (Louis; now Adams), 1, G, 7, to Redfield. 
# # * What I saw of No. 1 (Lorraine), is much interior to the remain- 
der, as Wright calls the whole a good town, and it is settling fast." 

The portions relating to the territory now Oswego and Lewis 
counties are omitted. 

* * * August 21s£, 1804. "Proceeded on to Ellisburgh, and found the 
road from Ellisburgh so extremely bad, and so seldom travelled, and 
another route shorter and better presents itself, so that I have, by the 
advice of Mr. Wright, judged it advisable to alter to the latter; he is ac- 
cordingly authorized to give 5 or 6 lots, of 50 acres each, to settlers, en- 
titling them to deeds after a residence a certain time, on 10 and 11, after 
they have erected buildings and other improvements. The road will be 
nearly direct from Rome to Ellisburgh, and about 43 miles. 

August Qld. Went down Sandy Creek to the lake, and found the marsh 
covered with haystacks, the contents of which had grown spontaneously, 
and there are many horses and cattle at pasture, which proves that this 

* This was erroneous. There are numerous perennial streams in town, and 
no section of the county is better watered. F. B. H. 



EUisburgfi. 151 

place is of consequence. Some of it is indeed very fine, and people are 
very desirous of buying, liiit no judgment can be formed of the quantity 
of good and bad, and L. Ellis, is therefore to send me an estimate before 
the price is fixed. Went to Christopher Edmonds on the north side of 
the creek. He has a fine farm and has produced the best corn on the 
town. He expects this year a yield of about 90 bushels per acre. This 
article is very fine throughout tbe place, but the wheat has been affected 
by the fly and rust. Tbe establishment has flourished generally, many 
settlers have come in since last year, and more are expected. There are 
now (30 families, and though cases of fever and ague happen near tbe lake, 
and sometimes the lake lever, yet the country is a healthy one, and the 
soil so good that it will settle fast. 

August 24tk. Left Ellisburgh, with directions to Ellis to sell the re- 
served lots (9), proceeding through Louis No. 7 (Adams), which is good 
land, and will settle, nearly the whole being taken up, thence through 
No. 1 (llomidsfield), formerly sold by Harrison and Hoffman to Cham- 
pion anil Storrs, but which now belongs to several proprietors, among 
the rest, Messrs. Kemble and Houndsfield. It is a pretty good town, 
but has not many settlers, and the road only cut out in some places. No. 
7, has been sold generally at $3. Arrive at Brownville, on the north 
side of Black River where we dine at tbe hotel, a building too large for 
the present state of the place, and not finished. Tbe country appears 
somewhat stony about the rivers, and the soil not very good. There 
are good houses and other buildings, and a good deal of clearing done. 
The water very low, and Brown's mill can not work.* He has a store 
here, and does a good deal of business with the country people, to whom 
lie pays money for their produce, sending it to Montreal, where he can 
not always dispose of it on his own account, by which he is a loser. 
Cross the river, and pass on tbe south side 10 miles further, through 
No. 2 ( YVatertown), belonging to Mr. Low, and No. 3 (Rutland), formerly 
to Mr. Henderson, but now the property of Isaac Bronson, wbo bought 
it at 12s, cash, which is considered a great bargain in this part, as it is 
an excellent town, and well settled. No, 2 is settling by degrees. 
Slept at Butterfield's on No. 3, a poor tavern in an old log house. 

August 25th. Pass on through No. 4 (Champion), formerly sold by 
Harrison and Hoffman to Champion and Storrs, a pretty good town 
tolerably well settled; 10 miles to the Long Falls, where we breakfasted 
at a middling good tavern. I find good corn universally in the country 
passed. The winter wheat good as usual, but that of the spring mostly 
lost by tbe insect or the rust (dew). What is raised, is used in the 
country by the inhabitants, and emigrants, and till there is more popula- 
tion, there will be none to spare for another market. It is worth, gene- 
rally, $1 per bushel. See the falls only at a distance, in part, as it 
would take much time and trouble to examine them further. Cross the 
river in a scow, the ferry kept by Baptiste, a Frenchman, one of a con- 
siderable number who settled here some years ago; but very few now 
remain, and the buildings being mostly in ruins, the country appears 
desolate. Proceed on 4 miles from the river, to a log hut, then 6 miles 
to another, then 12 to a third, there being but 3 settlers on the Great Tract 
No. 4, unless there are some on Penet's Square adjoining the River St. 
Lawrence.f This tract belongs to or is under the management of Mr. 
Le Ray and Mr. G. Morris, and nothing has yet been done towards 

* This was Philomel Creek, now entirely dry except in spring and fall. — 
F. B. H. 

1 This is erroneous, the Square not being a part of No. 4. — F. B. H. 



152 EUisburgh. 

settling it; the three people now on have a verbal promise that they shall 
have the land at a fair price, as first settlers; but they are very anxious 
in their inquiries after Gen. Lewis Morris, who it is understood has 
undertook the selling of 100,000 acres. The soil on the road is good, 
but it is said there is a good deal of bad land and broken ground, in the 
tract. Sleep at Lee's Tavern, 22 miles from the falls, 'with hard iare and 
poor lodgings. 

Aug. 26. Pass on 5 miles to the Ox Bow, a remarkable bend in the 

east branch of Oswegatchie River and a fine situation for a large house. 

There is now a log hut, at which w ( e breakfasted, and another in sight."*** 

The journal of travel through the St. Lawrence and Franklin 

Counties and back is omitted. 

Sept. 9. S ;t off from Lee's, after breakfast, and stop at Stearns' on No. 4, 
12 miles distance, then 10 miles more to the Black River, which we cross 
at the Long Falls, in a scow, and dine at Moseley's tavern, on the south 
side. The heat this day excessive. My companions and their horses 
suffered more than either I or my horse did. Proceeded on 16 miles 
further to Lowville, through Mr. Harrison's No. 5 (Denmark), which is 
very good and well settled, the soil being very rich, and the road deep 
and muddy, especially for 4 or 5 miles after leaving the river, where are 
fewest settlers***. Squire Collins* gave us some information of the local 
proceedings, the division of the county, and other intrigues, and with 
what I have heard from other quarters, it appears that Stow,f and Martin.J 
have made themselves very obnoxious, and they will differ about the 
division of the county on their side of it; each will be supported by 
opposite interests, and they will be defeated by the management of the 
proprietors of Redfield, or that of Jacob Brown, of Brownville. Each 
of the gentlemen requires a court house near to himself, and if they are 
all to be gratified, Oneida must be divided into five, but there will be 
opposition to their wishes, and perhaps to any division of the county, 
which would be for the interest of the land owners, as the extra expense 
would be saved." 

The remainder of this year's journal, and the first of the next 
omitted, as relating to other sections. On returning, Aug. 6, 
1805, he overtook a Mr. Ford, who was cutting out the state 
road in No. 7 (Redfield). 

" Mr. Ford had 4 or 5 hands, and expects to increase to 10 in a' few 
days. He carries with him a house, drawn on an ox sled. It is 14 by 7 
of a small scantlingand thin boards, but it is a sufficient protection against 
Hie weather, and a comfortable place to sleep in. His daughter attends 
to cook the provisions with them, and as his farm is at Redfield, they get 
sauce (vegetables) from thence every day or two. * * * Gates' is the first 
we come to on No. 1 (Lorraine), on lot No. 75; he is but badly lodged, 
though he has made a good clearing. We found that Mr. Wright had 
not passed this way, and Gates could give us no information, but he 
informed us there was a good road to Mr. Sweet's, on No. 2 (Worth), 
where wo might meet with him, if he was employed in subdividing that 
town. We, accordingly, left, the state road, and struck offcast, intending 
to sleep at Sweet's. What, we had seen of No. 1 pleased us better than 
the other two towns, and this appeared to us very good for the distance 
of 2jj miles to Sweet's, tho' no settlers were on it. No tidings of Mr. 

* Jonathan Collins, of West Turin, afterwards juds;e of Lewis County Court, 
t Silas Stow, of Lowville, first judge of Lewis Co. He was Low's agent. 
I Brigadier General Walter Martin, of Martinsburgh. F. B. H. 



Ellisburgh. 153 

Wright. The house was small, not a tavern, and full of people, so that 
we gave up the idea of sleeping there. Sweet and associates are pur- 
chasers of 5000 acres, that formerly belonged to Mr. Hoffman. We were 
now at least 2-i miles from Algol's tavern on No. 1 (Lorraine), and it was 
late in the evening, but we set off in haste through an untried road, and 
got thereat dusk. The landlord was gone to mill, and the landlady lay 
sick of a fever. She requested to see one of us, and I went to her bed- 
side, when she expressed her regret at not being able to attend upon us, 
as she has always been attentive to travellers; — that the best the house 
could afford should be prepared ; that there was no wheat meal in the 
house, blither husband had gone for some, and the neighbors, attending 
her, would see to our accommodation, if we would stay. My companions 
concluded to go on to Mr. Hunter's, 4 or 5 miles further, but I remained, 
and after the husband returned, they got me a supper of tea, pork, and 
bread of Indian meal, and I went to bed in the same room with the 
landlady, who was indeed very sick, and attended all night, but I slept 
without waking. I should have preferred another situation, but it was 
not to be had. Alger has done but little, and does not look likely to 
succeed. He has not made any payment, and hopes for indulgence, but 
I referred him to Mr. Wright. He is on lot No. 34, and took up 73 acres, 
but has not made any payment since he came on in 1803, from which 
time interest is to commence. He has no contract. 

Left early next morning, and the bridge over Salmon River being car- 
ried away, I forded it. The freshet in the spring was very destructive, three 
bridges and a mill dam being carried off, besides other damages. * * * 
On the way to Ellisburgh, found many settlers since last year, and the 
improvement considerable; the crops of wheat excellent, and the corn 
good, as they have suffered little from drowth. Arrived at Ellis' at noon, 
to remain 2 or 3 days. The mills are in tolerably good order, but the 
water so low they can grind only part of the day. Grists are brought 
from a great distance, and in boats from Oswego, and lower. Ellis has 
built a small house for himself, and a good barn. * * * 

Aug. 9. Went down to the lake, and being fine weather, were rowed 
down Sandy Creek to the mouth. The lake is higher than it has been 
for some years, and more of the marsh is covered, which has prevented 
much hay being cut. If the waters continue to rise, which they think 
probable, most of the marsh will be of no use. We returned from the 
lake, and were caught in a shower before, we got to Ellis'. The first 
rain since leaving Schenectady. * * * A schoolhouse is now building, 
near Ellis' Mills, on the same lot, to be two stories high, the upper of 
which is to be devoted to divine service, when any minister travels that 
way. The town have also subscribed towards building a bridge across 
the creek, at the same place, and we agreed to contribute §20, as they 
could not raise sufficient, but they have engaged to improve the road from 
the bridge to the north line of No. 10. Dr. Dresser has but two patients, 
and there is less sickness than at any previous year in this season." 

The proprietors had adopted the practice of giving certificates, 
allowing people a certain time after exploring to go for their 
families, before taking contracts, but it was found, that in many 
cases these had been transferred, and this having grown into a 
system of speculation, was discontinued, as they were given to 
assist the first real settlers, and their transfer operated against 
the interests of both land owners and settlers. About half of 
No. 1 was at this time sold. A reputed locality of iron ore was 

11 



154 Ellisburgh. 

visited on No. 6 (Redfield), which was thought upon examination 
to be coal, but which, from the description given, must have been 
the oxyde of manganese. 

Aug. 19. " Set off in the morning, and stopped at Gates', on No. 1, 
seven miles from Drake's. Gates is an intelligent man, and has taken 
up no more land than he can cultivate. He states his inability to meet 
his payments and hopes for indulgence. He was told that every thing 
reasonable would he done. Passed on to Smith's Mills, 7 miles further, 
but did not stop, and arrived at Mr. Hammond's, in No. G (Henderson), 
where we got dinner, and spent the night. He is settled on Stony Creek, 
about li miles from what is called the Harbor; has a good log house, 
built though not finished, and a stone foundation, for a large barn. 
He has cleared considerable, and owns 350 acres of laud. Though 
the report is that all the land is taken up in town, he tells us there are 
6000 acres, that have not yet been surveyed. Mr. Wright expects to meet 
Mr. Henderson here, about the 20th, to survey and to lay out a village at 
the Harbor. Went in the evening to see the Harbor, 2 miles distant, and 
bathed in it. It is formed by a peninsula on Lake Ontario, where Stony 
Creek empties, and tho' not a safe one, is a pretty situation. The trees 
are at present only felled, at some places, so that the prospect can not be 
judged of, but it will probably be very fine. Mr. Hopkins, the agent for 
Henderson, has begun a large house, and has gone to Vermont for his 
family. It narrowly escaped being burned to the ground, by a fire from 
a piece cleared near it in the dry weather." 

The price of land in this town is $3,50, which is high enough for the 
soil, which is very light over the rock, so that by burning a fallow, it is 
nearly consumed, and from the wind falls it appears the roots of the trees 
can get but a slight hold on the soil, on account of the rocks. 

Aug. 15, Left Hammond's after breakfast, for Sackets Harbor, 12 miles 
distance. The road to Henderson's Harbor plain, but in consequence of 
the chopping, the road to the lake was shut up, and we were obliged to 
take to the woods for a mile or two, and found it difficult to get along. 
Saw two or three clearings before we reached the lake, and at each the 
road or path was almost shut up. When we reached the shore found it 
rocky and somewhat dangerous for horses. I alighted and walked some 
miles, but my companions rode the whole distance. When we came to 
a sandy beach I mounted, and we went on pleasantly for some miles, till 
we came to a creek* emptying from a beaver dam into the lake which 
had the appearance of being too deep to ford, but seeing a man on the 
opposite side, we hailed him, and he answered to us to come on, as the 
water was not deep. We went on, but the water was at least 3 feet, and 
I was not easy in crossing. After travelling the beach a mile farther, 
and through the road another mile, we arrived at Sackets Harbor, which 
has a very pretty appearance, and promises from its situation to become 
of importance. A collector's office is established by the United States, 
and Mr. Sacket, the collector, has a salary of $700. He called upon us, 
and we went to his house, which is quite a building, and the premises 
are very neat. The drouth has been very severe. He informed us that 
the proprietors of this town had lately declined selling, but that the whole 
would sell readily at $5, Mr. Low bad determined not to sell at any price, 
but in this we were afterwards told he was incorrect. He talks of the 
collector's office not being worth his attention although 1000 tons of ashes 
have been sent from the Harbor, and he is quite dsirous of selling his 

* Bedford Creek. 



Ellisburgh. 155 

whole property. * * * Proceeded to Brownville, 9 miles where we dined; 
found the water very low, and Brown's mills not at work. The place is 
not materially altered from last year, except some new buildings, and the 
road through the village turnpike by private subscription. Called on 
Jacob Brown, who was not at home, but he soon after called upon us, 
when we were about to set off, * * *. Rutland was formerly sold to 
Isaac Bronson, by Mr. Henderson, at a great sacrifice, and the former will 
clear a large sum of money by it, unless as we are told he has given it up 
to his brother, binding him only to his principal and interest, in which 
case his brother who lives here will get the benefit of it and it will be 
large, if as they say every acre will sell for $5, or $6. The settlers are 
numerous, on the road at least, and the buildings generally good. » 

Aug. 16. Left Heth's early, and went towards the Long Falls, expect- 
ing to be obstructed by many wind falls, in consequence ot'the boisterous 
night, but we got on very well, and found the country thickly settled in 
Champion, where they told us the price of land was from $6- to $10, and 
not much for sale, when we arrived at the falls, the house onfthis side not 
being a tavern, we were obliged to cross the river for breakfast, and were 
detained nearly an hour at the ferry. Proceeded through great tract No. 
JV and stopped at Steam's 10 miles, where we dined and arrived at Lee's, 
22 miles from the falls, where we passed the night, and as the house was 
completely full an uncomfortable one it was. I see no alteration in this 
part of the country since last year, the road at least as bad, and no more 
settlers. We were told Gen. Lewis, R. Morris, has been through it, and 
has now gone to Vermont, intending shortly to return and perhaps with 
his family. He has quited Lee, and other squatters, who seemed well 
satisfied. He is expected to build at the Ox Bow. 

Aug. 17. Left Lee's very early, and came through to the Ox Bow 5 
miles of as bad road as we had yet travelled," * * *. 

One year after\vards( August S, 1806), Mr. Constable in going 
over this route remarked. 

" Passed from the Long Falls to the bridge at Indian River (Antwerp 
Village), where we spent the night. The country generally remains as 
last year, except at this place where they are building a saw mill for 
Gen. Lewis, R. Morris, who has gone to Vermont, his family not having 
yet moved to this town." The same journal (August 1806) speaking of 
the settlements in Ellisburgh says: " From Asa Brown's passed on to 
Andrews' settlement, on Ellisburgh, through a very good road, 4 miles. 
He has made considerable improvement here. The saw mill has been 
long in use, and has enabled them to erect frame houses, some good 
barns, and a large grist mill, which is however not yet finished and after 
dinner walked to see the lake, which as the wind blew fresh from the 
west, had a very pleasing appearance, * * *. Ellis rents the mills for 
$400 per annum, and his affairs will soon be in good order. * * * We 
heard with great concern the death of Elder Littlefield, which happened 
a few days before our arrival. He was a man of some consequence and 
much respected, and has left a widow and nine children. It is supposed 
he died intestate. * * * There have been some cases of sickness du- 
ring the season, but none fatal. Dr. Draper is still on the town, and has 
considerable practice. He will continue here and hopes to build a house 
next year when he will require a deed for the 50 acres of land to which 
he is entitled. I should have remarked that 180 militia men trained here 
yesterday (September 2) and it is said by some, that one third were ab- 
sent. If so the population has greatly increased." 



156 EUisburgh. 

On the 22d of January, 1S03, George Tibbets andJamesDole, 
of Troy, were appointed agents for EUisburgh, and in 1807 were 
paid for their services in land, In the same year, Benjamin 
Wright, of Rome, succeeded as general agent for the estate, and 
fixed his residence at Pulaski, where he continued in the capaci- 
ty of surveyor and agent until employed on the canal surveys. 

No incident worthy of remark occurred until 1808, when the 
embargo act was passed; that led to much opposition from the 
Federal party in this county, and was in some places on this 
frontier systematically violated. 

In September, 1808, an event occurred in this town that cre- 
ated great excitement at the time. We take it from accounts 
published in the Albany Gazette, Oct. 10, 1808. A party from 
Oswego, under Lieut. Asa Wells, entered Sandy Creek, and after 
seizing a quantity of potash, under the embargo laws, proceeded 
to the house of Capt. Fairfield, surrounded it, and seized and 
carried away a swivel. Mr. F. being absent, his lady made 
complaint to a justice, who issued a warrant. The constable 
was intimidated, and called upon his fellow citizens to aid him, 
when about thirty men took arms, and went with him, but 
Wells' men presented bayonets, when they desisted, and twenty 
of the men went off. Lieut. Wells ordered the remainder to be 
disarmed, and bound, when they were taken, with the swivel, to 
Oswego. On the evening of the 25th September the same party 
returned, as reported, for the purpose of taking the magistrate 
and constable, who had issued the papers. A warrant against 
W 7 ells, and two others, for felony, in breaking open a house, 
was issued at Sackets Harbor, and given to Ambrose Pease, a 
constable, to execute, who, after examining the law, raised the 
hue and cry, and assembled about 200 persons in EUisburgh, 
where a consultation of several magistrates was held, and the 
next day at sunrise about seventy or eighty men, armed and 
equipped, volunteered to aid in the arrest, but the magistrates 
durst not issue the order for their march, being apprehensive 
that some excess or injury might be done, and the question hav- 
ing been raised whether a constable had a right to demand aid, 
before he had been resisted, the armed men were advised to dis- 
perse, and the civil officer requested to proceed to apprehend 
Wells and the others, without the force of the county. This 
proceeding was charged, by one of the political parties, as an 
attempt of the other to resist, by force of arms, the execution of 
the laws, and mutual criminations were exchanged with much 
bitterness. To justify themselves, and secure public opinion in 
their favor, the civil officers who had taken an interest in the 
matter, prepared the following statement, which was published 
in the papers of the day, at Utica, Albany and elsewhere : 



Ellisburgh. 157 

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of the county of Jefferson, in the 
state of New York, suddenly convened (by command of the civil author- 
ity), in the town of Ellisburgh, to take into consideration the proper and 
legal mode to apprehend certain felons and robbers, who, in the town of 
Ellisburgh in said county, being armed, and under the pretense of being 
in the service of the United States, to enforce the embargo laws, did 
there violently, and forcibly, enter into the dwelling house of Captain 
Fairfield, broke open locks, forced open doors, and robbed the said Capt. 
Fairfield of his property, contrary to the laws; that they refused to sub- 
mit to the civil authority of the country, and did then and there, by force 
and arms, seize, bind and carry away to Oswego, ten of our fellow citi- 
zens, who were commanded to attend a civil officer in the execution of 
process on the said offenders; which citizens have been kept since, iu 
close confinement, in want of every comfort and convenience of life, 
without lawful authority, and constantly subject to insult of soldiery, 
who seem insensible of the rights, privileges and liberties of Americans. 
Feeling the spirit of freemen, and viewing this and many other late acts 
of violence as rapid strides towards despotism and martial law among us, 
the establishment of which must occasion a total deprivation of the rights 
for which our fathers and many of us have fought and bled; therefore, 

Resolved, That we consider it a duty incumbent on us, for our personal 
safety, for the security of our lives and property, and for the support of 
our civil law and authority, to unite in all lawful measures to apprehend 
the said felons. 

Resolved, That such of our fellow citizens who have assembled in arms 
to aid our magistrates and civil officers in the execution of lawful pro- 
cess against Lieut. Asa Wells, and others, who stand charged under oath 
of felony, be requested to disperse, until another trial be made by them 
to apprehend the said Asa Wells. 

Resolved, That the magistrates and civil authorities of the neighboring 
counties be requested to aid us in apprehending and bringing to justice 
the said Lieut. Wells, aud divers other persons concerned in the said 
felony. 

Resolved, That we will support the laws and magistrates of the coun- 
try, and our civil officers in the execution of lawful process. 

Resolved, That Augustus Sacket, Jesse Hopkins, and John Cowles, Esqs., 
magistrates of the county, be appointed a committee to cause these reso- 
lutions to be published, for the information of our fellow citizens. 

Augustus Sacket, } 
Jesse Hopkins, > Committee. 
John Cowles, } 

Ellisburgh, Sept. 27, 1808. 

During the war a company of Silver Greys, composed of old 
men and boys, not liable to military duty, was formed in Wood's 
Settlement, but was nut called to serve, except to guard the beach 
and mouth of Sandy Creek. 

In the spring of 1814, a complete victory was gained with 
slight loss, by a detachment of troops guarding a quantity of 
military stores from Oswego under Lieut. Woolsey, which had 
entered Sandy Creek, and were attacked by a detachment from 
the British fleet. The details of this transaction will be given in 
our chapter on the war. 

The aboriginal remains of Ellisburgh, have given occasion for 



158 Ettisbursrh 



5' 



the weak minded to believe, that they were in some way con- 
cerned with buried treasures, and this being confirmed by the 
supposed indications of the divining rod, led in early times to 
explorations for them, despite of the guardianship of the spirits 
of the murdered, who according to the most approved demon- 
ologists, are ever placed sentries over concealed coffers. The 
projectors of these speculations were in some instances charged 
with making money out of the credulous victims of superstition, 
by selling provisions, and in several instances, the diggers were 
almost frightened out of their senses by ghosts and demons; some 
got fleeced of substantial property in pursuit of imaginary wealth, 
and others lost the respect of sensible men, by the favor with 
which they regarded these follies. On a certain occasion in pre- 
paring the enchanted circle for digging, a lamb was sacrificed, 
to appease the guardian demons of the supposed treasure; but 
this act was generally regarded as a sacrilege, and did much 
towards bringing discredit upon these heathenish orgies. 

It is humiliating to know, that at a period so recent, and in a 
locality that enjoyed the means of education as early as any in 
the county, such absurdities of belief in witchcraft should have 
prevailed, nor is consolation afforded in the fact, that in other 
sections, and at the present day, we daily witness the evidences 
of a belief in superstitions quite as absurd. Incidents might be 
given, and details related, of the ritual observed by these mid- 
night seekers for subterranean gold, but the narratives would be 
unprofitable, and can not be too soon forgotten. 

In 1828, there again occurred a sickness that was remarkable 
for its fatality, more especially in the vicinity of the lake, where 
scarcely a single person escaped an attack. It continued through 
the summer months, which were remarkable for their intense 
heat, with copious showers, alternating with clear sky and hot 
sun. The lake w T as very high, and the marshes were flowed. 
The disease assumed the type of a malignant typhoid fever, and 
was very general, extending along the entire frontier, being 
especially severe in the vicinity of marshes and standing water. 
In the western part of the state, this year was distinguished by 
the prevalence of intermittent and other fevers. 

Ellis Village (Ellisburg P. 0.), is situated mostly on the 
north bank of the south branch of Big Sandy Creek, about four 
miles from its mouth. It is the oldest village in the town, and 
contained, in August 1853, four stores, two inns, two flouring 
mills, one plaster mill, one chair shop, one tannery, one saw 
mill, one shingle factory, two carriage shops, four blacksmith 
shops, and about sixty families. Four physicians resided in 
the place, and the village contained churches of the Methodist 
and Universalist orders. It is distant from Belleville three miles; 



Ellisbursrh. 159 



^ 



Mannsville four miles; Pierrepont Manor three miles; and Wood- 
ville two and a half miles. 

Belleville, on the north bank of North Sandy Creek, three 
miles above Woodville, and by rail road, five from Pierrepont 
Manor, began as a farming settlement, by Metcalf Lee, Bradley 
Freeman, Joshua Freeman, Martin Barney, James, Benjamin, 
and Jedediah McCumber, and a few others about 1802-3. Elder 
Littlefield soon after purchased, and the place being favor- 
ably situated for mills, gradually grew to a village. Soon 
after the war, at the suggestion of Calvin Clark, a merchant, a 
meeting was called to select a name for the place, and a com- 
mittee was chosen, w T ho selected the present, which is said to 
have been taken from Belleville in Canada. Before this it had 
been known as Hall's Mills, from Giles Hall, who in 1806, pur- 
chased of J. McCumber a hydraulic privilege here, and who has 
ever since resided in this place. The first merchant was Laban 
Brown; John Hawn was the first innkeeper. 
- This place has, within the last year, been brought in commu- 
nication with markets, by completion of the Sackets Harbor and 
Ellisburgh Rail Road, which has given a new impulse to its 
growth. It is the centre of a highly cultivated district, and one 
that has taken great interest in agriculture as a practical science. 
The Ellisburgh Agricultural Society, of which an account will be 
given, has recently fitted up a fair ground adjacent to the village; 
and in no town in the county has so much emulation been 
evinced in agricultural pursuits as in this. The village of Belle- 
ville contains a Presbyterian, a Baptist, and a Methodist church, 
and is the seat of the Union Literary Society, an academic insti- 
tution, whose history and condition will be given in a future 
chapter. It is three miles from Ellis Village, two and a half 
from Woodville, six from Smithville, six from Henderson, five 
from Adams, and five from Pierrepont Manor. 

Rural Hill Post Office, a small settlement two miles west 
from Belleville, was formerly called Buck Hill, has two stores, 
one tavern, and a few dwellings. 

Woodville, a small village on North Sandy Creek about three 
miles from its mouth, formerly Wood's Settlement, was settled by 
Ebenezer, Ephraim, and Jacob Wood, sons of Nathaniel Wood, 
of Middletown, Vt, who came in to look for lands with Orimal 
Brewster, Simeon Titus, Ephraim Wood, Jr., and Hezekiah 
Leffingwell, in the fall of 1803. Messrs. E. & E. W T ood pur- 
chased May 26, 1804, for $2,294*80, a tract of 754 acres, and 
in March, Ephraim Wood, with a daughter and three sons, came 
in to reside, his brother Ebenezer remaining to settle the estate. 
Rev. Nathaniel Wood, their father, an old man, came on in June, 
1804. Obadiah Kingsbury, Oliver Scott, and others, came the 



J 



160 Ellisburgh. 

same year. A small mill was built, arid in 1805, got in opera- 
tion. In 1805 Ebenezer Wood, Nathaniel Wood, Jr.,* Mosely 
Wood, Samuel Truesdale, and families, came in, and several 
young men. A field of corn planted by the Woods, on the 
marsh, as late as June 7, produced an immense yield, which 
greatly raised the reputation of the settlement, and the hopes of 
the settlers. 

W T oodville, in August, 1853, contained a store, two saw mills, 
grist mill, two churches (Baptist and Congregational), a paper 
mill (built by Messrs. Clark, about seven years since), the usual 
variety of mechanics, and about thirty families. 

In 1802, Joseph Allen, with Pardon Earlf and Arnold Earl, 
from Galway, N. Y., came in byway of Redfield, to Adams, and 
thence worked their way through the forest to Bear Creek, and 
settled on the site of the present village of Pierrepont Manor. 
William Tabor, William Case, two or three families by the name 
of Simmons, and a few others settled for farming purposes soon 
after. Allen opened the first inn, and Oliver Snow the first 
store. Mr. P. Earl, after 1807, became a local land agent, and 
a man of extensive business, and in 1822 the agency of the es- 
tates derived by H. B. Pierrepont from William Constable, lying 
in Jefferson and Oswego counties, was assumed by William C. 
Pierrepont, his elder son, who has since resided here, and ac- 
quired the title of these lands. "The village has at present an 
inn, two stores, a number of mechanics, and between thirty and 
forty dwellings. It is by plank road five miles from Adams vil- 
lage, two from Mannsville, and thirteen from Pulaski. The W. 
and R. Rail Road has a station and eating house at this place, 
and it here joins the Sackets Harbor and Ellisburgh Rail Road. 
Few villages will compare with this, for the neat and quiet aspect 
which it presents. It is situated on the level of the lake ridge, 
and commands a distant prospect of the lake. 

A melancholy accident occcurred near this place, on the even- 
ing of May 6, 1852, by an engine, while running backwards, 
coming in contact with a hand car containing a party of young 
ladies and gentlemen, by which three of the former were killed, 
and one severely injured. The hand car was taken contrary to 
explicit orders of the company by employees, who were at once 
discharged. No blame was attached to any one, except those 
who had allowed the hand car to be placed upon the track. 

Mannsville, on Mannsville, or Skinner Creek, two miles south 
of Pierrepont Manor, and on the line of the W. & R. R. R., 
began to be settled by David I. Andrus, as agent for Samuel 

* Reuben Wood, late governor of Ohio, an.d now in Valparaiso . is a son of 
Nathaniel Wood. 

tMr. Earl died here January 9, 1844, aged G2. 



. EUisburgh. 161 

Wardwell of Rhode Island, who had made extensive purchase 
here and elsewhere in (own. The improvement by Andrus was 
slight, and the place only began to increase in 1822, when Dan- 
iel Wardwell came on and took charge of the purchase made 
several years previous by his father, and in 1823 he began the 
erection of a cotton factory, having for its dimensions forty by 
fifty feet, and three stories high, which stood a short distance 
below the present village, and was fitted for 600 spindles. Soon 
after, Major H. B. Mann purchased half of the factory, which 
had been two or three years in operation, when it was burned 
February 16, 1827. The loss was estimated at $10,000. 

The present name was adopted on the formation of a post of- 
fice. In August, 1853, it contained five stores, one hotel, two 
harness shops, four black smith shops, two carriage shops, one 
tin shop, two tanneries, one grist mill, one saw mill, three shoe 
shops, a church and about fifty dwellings. It is on the Adams 
and EUisburgh Plank Road, formerly a stage road. 

The lake shore in this town is nearly a straight line, and is 
bordered by a low ridge of sand hills, scantily covered with trees 
at a few points, but mostly composed of drifting sands. Behind 
this is a large marsh that extends several miles each way from 
Sandy Creek, in which are open ponds. These marshes are 
without timber, are covered with sedges, aquatic plants, and 
wild rice, and when the lake is low, a considerable portion of 
them may be mowed, but in high water they are mostly flowed. 
A large part of the marsh remains unsold, and is used as a kind 
of common. Where capable of tillage it is found very productive. 

The lake shore has been the scene of many wrecks, since the 
country was settled, the first within the memory of those living 
having occurred in the fall of 1800, when a small schooner 
from Mexico, to Gananoqui, Capt. Gammon, master, was lost 
off Little Stony Creek, and all on board perished. A boat of 
eight men, that was sent in search of the vessel, was also 
swamped, and all hands were drowned. 

About 1807, a family was located by Mr. Benjamin W T right, 
at the mouth of Sandy Creek, to afford aid to shipwrecked per- 
sons, and since that period this lonely dwelling has sheltered 
many a suffering sailor, who might otherwise have perished. 
Within the memory of the present tenant, who has occupied the 
premises thirty years, the following vessels have been wrecked 
on this coast, and several near the house : Atlas, Asp, Huron, 
Ann, Fame of Genessee, Two Sisters, Victory, Hornet, Three 
Brothers, Medora, Burlington, Caroline, Henry Clay, Neptune, 
Napoleon, White Cloud, and several others, names not known, 
of many of which the entire crews were lost, and of others a 
part were saved. These are but a part of the whole number 



162 Ellisburgh. 

that have been lost here, and the subject of establishing a light, 
or at least one or more life boats, with the necessary apparatus, 
on the beach, for use in case of shipwrecks, commends itself 
strongly to the charities of the humane, and the attention of 
government. 

In 1829 a survey of the mouth of Sandy Creek was made, by 
order of the general government, with the view of improving it 
for a harbor. The estimated cost of the work was $36,000, but 
nothing was ever done towards effecting this. The completion 
of the railroad has diminished the amount of commerce at this 
place, which was always small. A warehouse had been erected 
at the head of navigation, on each branch of the creek, but these 
are little used at present. Sandy Creek is a lawful port. 

The fisheries in Mexico bay, and in front of this town, have 
within a few years assumed much importance, and recently gill 
nets have been introduced and used, at great distances from the 
shore in deep water. It was found that the placing of these before 
the mouth of streams injured the fisheries, and the subject was 
made a matter of complaint to the board of supervisors at their 
session in 1852, who passed an act by which it was forbidden to 
place seines or nets across, or in the waters of Skinner Creek, 
and the north and south branches of Big Sandy in Ellisburgh, or 
within 80 rods of the mouth of either, under a penalty of $50. 

The Ellisburgh Union Library was formed.February 16, 1813, 
Caleb Ellis, Brooks Harrington, Oliver Scott, Shubeal Lyman 
and Isaac Burr, were elected the first trustees. Like most others 
of the class, this has been abandoned. 

Religious Societies. — The Baptists were the first to effect an 
organization in town. Before the formation of the present church 
of this order at Belleville, a few persons had been gathered by 
Elders Colwell and Littlefield, and adopted a covenant and art- 
icles of faith, with which Elder L. and some others were dis- 
satisfied, and which a council of brethren from neighboring 
churches decided to be contrary to the faith of the Baptists church. 
They were accordingly disbanded, and Elder L. having died, 
there was for some time no ministry of this order. About 1807, 
Joshua Freeman, then a young man, and one who has since been 
prominently connected with churches of this order in the county, 
feeling that something should be done towards reviving a church, 
with another young man, named Amos Noyes, commenced hold- 
ing meetings at Belleville. In this they had the cordial sympathies 
and aid of many, among others of Deacon Edward Barney. The 
previous covenant was modified to suit their views of gospel 
truth, and signed by eleven persons, who were soon joined by 
others, and August 22, 1807, a council called for the purpose, 
gave them the right hand of fellowship as a regular Baptist 



Ellisburgh. 163 

church. They enjoyed only occasional preaching till 1810, when 
Martin E. Cook, a licentiate, was called to the care of the church. 
He was afterwards ordained, and (with an interval of two years, 
in which Elder Bradley was employed) continued to labor in the 
ministry, with great acceptance, during twenty-four years. Since 
then the following ministers have served as pastors at different 
periods: Daniel D. Reed, Abner Webb, Joel H. Green, A Webb 
(2d time), John F. Bishop, and the present pastor, David Mc- 
Farland. The present number of the church is 260. Several 
seasons of religious awakening have occurred in this church, 
and many have gone out from them to the labor of the ministry. 
No serious divisions have occurred, and its history presents a 
scene of almost continual prosperity.* 

In 1819, a union meeting house was erected at Belleville,'cost- 
ing about $3,300, but the society never perfected its organiza- 
tion, which led to litigation. In March, 1829, the building was 
burned. A Baptist society had been formed December 4, 1821, 
with Matthew Green, Benjamin Barney and John Barney, 2d, 
trustees. In 1831 ihe present Baptist Church at this place was 
built, at a cost of about $2,400. 

The Baptist society of Woodville, was formed Jan. 27, 1825, 
with E'oenezer Wood, Oliver Scott, Amaziah Fillmore, Pedro 
Scott, Wm. Ellsworth and Abijah Jenkins, trustees. The church 
was formed by the Rev. Asa Averill, since whom Peleg Card, 

Buckley, W. B. Downer, L. Rice and others have been 

employed. The society has a house of worship. The Baptist 
church of Mannsville was formed about 1831, by the union of 
one in Lorraine, and one in the west part of the town. The lat- 
ter, styled the 2d Baptized Church of Ellisburgh, was formed 
Oct. 8-13, 1817, under Elder Timothy Brewster, assisted by 
Elders Emery Osgood, of Henderson, Matthew Wilkie, of Wilna, 
Martin E. Cook, of Ellisburgh, and Elisha Morgan of Rutland. 
In 1833, this sect with the Congregationalists, erected their pre- 
sent place of worship at a cost of $1600. 

The First Congregational Church of Ellisburgh, was formed by 
David M. Dixon, and Oliver Leavitt, Jan. 1, 1817, of six members. 
The Rev. J. A. Clayton was employed soon after, and was the 
only settled pastor. He was installed Nov. 9, 1826. He had 
several successors. On the 11th of Nov. 1823, a society was 
formed, of which the trustees were Amos Hudson, Hiram Taylor, 
Daniel Wardwell, John Otis, Wm. T. Fisk, and Wm. Cole. A 
church edifice was erected, but the organization became reduced, 
and was finally given up in the summer of 1844, having numbered 
143 members. The church has been for some time private prop- 
erty, and in 1843 was taken down. 

* From materials kindly furnished by W. L. Cook, the present clerk. 



164 EUisburgh. 

The Congregational Church of WoodvilJe was formed Nov. 52, 
and a society Dec. 14, 1S36, of which Ebenezer Wood, Oliver 
Batchelor, and Win. Gray were trustees. A union house had been 
erected and partly finished previously; in 1S37 it was taken down 
and a brick church erected, at a cost of about $1,100. Rev. Chas. 
B. Pond became the first pastor, and was installed Jan. 23. 1840. 
In 4 years Elisha P. Cook succeeded, since whom David Powell, 
J f Burchard, Frederick Hebard, and — Smith have been em- 
ployed, of whom Mr. Hebard was installed pastor. 

The Second Congregational Church and society of EUisburgh 
was reorganized at Mannsville, Aug. IS, 1834, with Roswell 
Keeney, Benjamin P. Grenell, and Daniel Wardwell, trustees. 
The early records of this church have been burnt; they own an 
interest in the meeting house at Mannsville. 

The First Presbyterian Society in the town of EUisburgh was 
formed Aug. 28, 1820, and elected Nathan Barden, Isaac Burr, 
Wm. T. Fisk, Amos Hudson, Liberty Bates, and Royce March, 
trustees. In 1830 it was reorganized and the same year erected 
in Belleville, a meeting house, at a cost of about $500. A church 
organization was formed at the house of Nathan Barden, Dec. 
18, 1829, by the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, of five males and six 
females, and on the 11th of Feb. 1830, it united with the Water- 
town Presbytery. The successors of Mr. Burchard have been 
— Spencer, J. Burchard, (2nd time), O. Parker, C. B. Pond, C. W. 
Baker, S. Cole, J. A. Canfield, Ingersoll, J. Carlisle, and at 
present J. Burchard. The society is now erecting a new church 
edifice at a cost, besides the lot, of about $2,800. 

The Universalist Church of EUisburgh was formed Aug. 26, 
1821, with 19 members; the present number is 50. The persons 
chiefly instrumental in forming it, were Isaac Mendall, Silas 
Emerson, John Clark, and Rev. Cornelius G. Persons. The clergy 
have been C. G. Persons, Chas. B.Brown, Oliver Wilcox, Luther 
Rice, Pitt Morse, and Alfred Peck. The society was formed Sept. 
2, 1833, with J. Mendall, Edmund M. Eldridge, Daniel Stearns, 
Edmund Palmer, and Richard Cheever, trustees. A Church was 
erected at Ellis Village in 1843, at a cost of $1,500. 

Zion Church (Episcopal), at Pierrepont Manor, was legally 
organized Jan. 4, 1836; Amos C. Treadway being at the time 
rector. William C. Pierrepont, and Thomas Warren were chosen 
church wardens-, and Thomas Blenking, Jr., Cornelius M. Tabur, 
Jason Marsh, Harvey Allen, Pardon Earl, Thomas E. Williamson, 
Robert Myrick, and John Allen were elected vestrymen. A church 
had been erected the summer previous by Mr. Pierrepont, at a 
cost of $3,000, which was consecrated Aug. 16, 1836. The 
rectors have been the Rev. Messrs. A. C. Treadway, Nathaniel 
Watkins, Josiah E. Bartlet, and E. C. Ellsworth. 



Henderson. 165 

The Methodist Episcopal Society in Ellisburgh Village was 
formed March 5, 1832, with Oliver N. Snow, Benj. Chamberlin, 
Lyman Ellis, Jeremiah Lewis, and Hiram Mosley, trustees. In 
1833 they built a church, which in 1850 was removed, repaired, 
and a steeple added. In 1836 a parsonage was built. 

The First Episcopal Methodist Church and Society in Belleville 
was formed May 5, 1841, having Edward Boomer, Elias Dickin- 
son, Thomas Ellis, Edward B. Hawes, Jesse Hubbard, Riley 
Chamberlain, Hail W. Baxter, Nelson Boomer, and John R. 
Hawes, trustees. They have a house of worship, and have been 
twice reorganized. 

Henderson. 

This town comprises number six of the eleven towns, and is 
the most westerly in the county, if we except the Galloo and 
Stony islands, which belong to Houndsfield. It was formed 
with its present limits, February 17th, 1806, from Ellisburgh. 

The first town meeting was held at the house of Reuben 
Putnam, March 11th, 1806, at which Jesse Hopkins was chosen 
supervisor, Mark Hopkins clerk, Lodowick Salisbury, Daniel 
Spencer, and Emory Osgood, assessors, Elijah Williams, consta- 
ble and collector, John B. Carpenter, Samuel Hubbard, poor 
masters, Marval Danly, Asa Smith and Anthony Sprague, 
commissioners highways, George W. Clark, Willes Fellows, 
and Jedediah McCumber, fence viewers, Reuben Putnam, 
pound master, Israel Thomas, James Barney, Levi ScofieJd, 
Thomas Drury, Calvin Bishop, Robert Farrel,. Benjamin Barney, 
John B. Carpenter, William White, Simeon Porter, path masters. 

Supervisors, 1806-10, Jesse Hopkins; 181J, James Hendtr- 
son, Jr.; 1812, Asa Smith; 1813, Mark Hopkins; 1814-5, Asa 
Smith; 1816, Maik Hopkins; 1817, John S. Porter; 1818, 
Noah Tubbs; 1819, Asa Smith; 1820-4, Noah Tubbs; 1825-6, 
Caleb Harris; 1827, Jonathan Bullard; 1828-31, Caleb Harris; 
1832, Peter N. Cushman; 1833-4, Caleb Harris; 1835-7, Peter 
N. Cushman; 1838-40, David Montague; 1841, George Jeffers; 
1842-3, John Carpenter, 1844, Joseph A. Montague; 1845, 
William McNeil; 1846-51, Henry Green, Jr.; 1852^ Washing- 
ton Bullard; 1853, H. Green, Jr. 

1811-12. Voted that Canada thistles shall be mowed in the 
old of the moon, in June, July, and August. Penalty $5, one 
half to the complainant, one half to the overseers of poor. W T olf 
bounties of $10 in 1807, to 1815 except in 1809, when $5 were 
offered for wolves, wild cats and panthers. 

This town fell to the share of William Henderson of New 
York, one of the four who bought the eleven towns of Constable, 
and from him it derived its name. He was accustomed to spend 




166 Henderson. 

a part of each summer here for several years, and remained in- 
terested in the title of the town till his death. 

There was an ancient portage from the head of Henderson 
Bay to Stony Creek across this town, by which the exposure of 
passing Stony Point, which forms a cape difficult to navigate 
with small boats, was avoided. At the head of the bay, there is 
said to be a trace, thought to be the remains of a kind of wharf 
or landing. The evidences of aboriginal occupation were no- 
ticed at one or two places in this town, and near an ancient 
trench enclosure there is said to have been found a golden cross, 
about two inches long, and furnished with a ring to be worn on 
the neck. In our first chapter we have noticed the trace of a 
stockade, supposed to have been built by the 
French. The figure in the margin represents a 
plan and section of this fort. This trace oc- 
curs on Six Town Point, so named from its 
being a part of township No. 6, which extends 
in a narrow peninsula, that in high water be- 
comes an island, more than two miles into the 
bay, and forms in the rear a harbor, which tor extent, safety, 
and facility of access, has not its superior on the lake. This 
circumstance gave value to the township, in the opinion of the 
early proprietors, and had a beginning been properly made and 
directed with suitable energy, the place might at this time have 
been an important commercial point. 

The town was surveyed into lots, in 1801, by Benjamin 
Wright of Rome, the plan of subdivision being similar to that 
of Adams, into lots and quarters. In 1S05, lot No. 20, near the 
present village of Henderson Harbor, was surveyed into twenty 
lots, or four ranges, often lots each, for the purpose of a village. 

The town of Henderson began to settle under the agency of 
Asher Miller, of Rutland, about 1802, the land books showing 
that Thomas Clark, Samuel Stewart, Philip Crumett, John 
Stafford, and Peter Cramer, had taken up lands in this town, to 
the extent of 1,195 acres, on the 26th of October previous. 
Moses Barret, William Petty, Daniel Spencer, Capt. John Bishop 
and sons, Calvin,* Luther, Asa and Sylvester, Jedediah and 
James McCumber, Samuel Hubbard,f Elijah Williams, Levi 
Scofield, William Johnson, David Bronson, John and Marvel 
Danley, Andrew Darymple, Luman Peck, Jonathan Crapo, 
George W. Clark, Thomas Drury, Anthony Sprague, Daniel 
Forbes, Emory Osgood and many others, whose names were not 
procured, settled within two or three years from the opening of 
settlement, being mostly emigrants from New England. 

* Died January 24th, 1850. aged C8. 
t Died July Uth, 1843, aged 82. 



Henderson. 167 

On Henderson Bay, three miles east of the little village of 
Henderson Harbor, a Scotch settlement was formed in 1803-7, 
by John and Duncan Drummond, Charles and Peter Barrie, 
Duncan Campbell, Thomas Bell, James Crawe, Daniel Scott, 
and John McCraull, from Perthshire in Scotland. A store was 
opened by C. Barrie in 1S23, in this settlement, and kept several 
years. Abel Shepard located in the same settlement in 1806. 

The first physician who settled in town was Elias Skinner, and 
the second Daniel Barney,* the latter having settled in 1807. 
Alfred Forbes is said to have taught the first school in the winter 
of 1808-9. 

A paper before us, showing the balance due from settlers in 
this town, Jan. 1, 1809, contains the following names of those 
who were living in town, at that time: A. Jones, R. Favel, 
Jeremkih Harris, Horace Heath, Samuel McNitt, Amos Hart, 
Daniel Hardy, Benj. Hammond, Samuel Jones, Daniel McNeil, 
Martin T. Morseman, Appleton Skinner, Asa and Ira Smith, 
Samuel Foster, Wra. Waring, Wm. White, Daniel Pierce, John 
B. Carpenter, Luther S. Kullinger, Lodowick Salisbury, T. 
Hunsden, W. White and Thomas Bull, who owed an aggre- 
gate of $17,734'87, for lands. Dr. Isaac Bronson became an 
owner of a large tract in 1807, which was sold and settled by a 
separate agency, Abel French succeeded Miller, a few months, 
in the agency, and April 8, 1805, an agreement was made 
between Wm. Henderson and Jesse Hopkins, by which the latter 
became the agent of this town and Pinckney, and continued in 
the employment of Mr. Henderson many years. Some difficulty 
growing out of the agency, led to the publication of a pamphlet 
by Mr. Hopkins in 1823, which affords some interesting data 
relative to the early history of the town. 

In 1803-4, but ten families wintered in town. In May, 1806, 
there were seventy families, generally middle aged and young 
people, with small property, but industrious and contented, 
although many were quite poor, who had exhausted their means 
in getting into the town, and were destitute of provisions. A 
contract was made soon after for clearing twenty-five acres of 
lands at the harbor, which the proprietor had hoped to establish 
as a commercial port, and caused to be surveyed into a village 
plot to which he gave the name of Naples. 

The bay, which is unsurpassed for beauty, as it is unrivaled 
for safety and convenience of access, was named the Bay of 
Naples, and high expectations were founded upon the future 
greatness of this port. On the declaration of war, Sackets Har- 
bor was selected as the great naval station of the lake, and both 

*Dr. B.died May 19, 1828. 



1 68 Henderson. 

Mr. Henderson and his agent, were, it is said, being opposed 
to that measure, averse to having any military or naval operations 
undertaken at this place. It in consequence lost the opportunity 
which with judicious management and decided natural advan- 
tages, it might have been secured of being a place of importance. 

Mr. Hopkins built a house and opened a land office near the 
town of Naples, which he had laid out, the provisions used for 
his laborers being brought from Kingston, and the lumber from 
Ellisburgh and Sackets Harbor. In 1807, a small store was 
opened, and several unsuccessful attempts were made to bring 
business to the place. Among other measures, Mr. Henderson 
procured the passage of a law for the opening of a State Road 
from Lowville to Henderson Harbor, which was laid out from 
Lowville into Pinckney, but never completed. He also in 1809, 
caused a dam and saw mill to be built on Stony Creek, near the 
bead of navigation, but the former gave way and the enterprise 
resulted in a total loss. In the next season the dam was rebuilt, 
and a mill erected at great expense. In 1811, a negotiation 
was held with General Matoon, of Massachusetts, for the sale of 
the township, but failed on account of the prospects of war. In 
1812, Mr. Hopkins erected a large sized school house at the 
harbor, which was to serve also as a place for religious meetings. 
He also commenced the building of vessels at this place, the first 
of which was a schooner of twenty tons. Several large clear- 
ings were made on account of Henderson, the year previous. In 
the year 1814, a second vessel, of forty tons, and soon after two 
others were built, and the place began to present the appearance 
of considerable business. Mr. Hopkins continued in the agency 
until 1822, engaged with varied success in a series of specula- 
tions, some of which were successful and some very unfortunate, 
when, having fallen considerably in arrears, he was superseded in 
the agency, and his improvements taken to apply on his liabilities. 

On the 25th of May, 1814, an association styled the Henderson 
Woolen Manufacturing Company, was formed, having Allen 
Kilby, Hezekiah Doolittle, Joseph Dickey, Tilley F. Smead and 
Chester Norton, its first trustees. This company never went into 
operation, but organized and expended a considerable sum in 
improvements. 

Henderson Village, sometimes called Salisbury's Mills, from 
Lodowick Salisbury, a prominent citizen at an early day, is situ- 
ated in the valley of Stony Creek, and mostly on the south 
bank, 3| miles from its mouth. It has three stores, an inn, two 
tanneries, a saw mill, a grist mill, a small woolen factory, most 
kinds of mechanic shops, and about sixty families. It has 
churches of the Methodist, Baptist, and Universalist orders. 

Henderson Harbor is a place one and a half miles distant from 



Henderson. 169 

Henderson Village, has less business than formerly, and consists of 
about a dozen houses. The shore here rises by a gentle slope to 
a spacious plain, and the prospect presented by the bay and 
islands, is one of romantic interest. 

Near the mouth of Stony Creek, at the head of navigation, 
are mills, and two or three vessels have been built here. On 
Stony Point, a light has been maintained since 1837, an appro- 
priation of $3000 having been made for its erection on the 3d of 
March in that year. 

The Henderson Social Library, was formed Feb. 9, 1819, of 
which, Percival Bullard, Peter N. Cushman, Chester Norton, 
Rufus Hatch, Thomas Fobes, Allen Kilbey, and Elijah Williams, 
were elected the first trustees. 

Religious Societies. — The first Baptist Church of Henderson, 
was formed June 26, 1806, at the house of Merril Danly by 
Emory Osgood, who officiated as pastor till Sept. 11, 1823. In 
October 1818, the members being scattered, a new church was 
formed from this, the parent body being the same that now wor- 
ships at Smithville, and the colony that of Henderson Village. 
The first Baptist society of Smithville was formed September 9, 

1823, with Henry Keith, Austin Robbins, and Ebenezer Sumner, 
trustees. This society in concert with the Congregationlists in 
1832, erected a stone church at Smithville, forty four by sixty 
feet, at a cost of about $3000. It is still owned in equal shares 
by the two societies. The clergy employed since Mr. Osgood 
have been, Elders Elisha Morgan, Jesse Elliott, Norman Chase, 
J. N. Webb, Daniel D. Reed, Elisha Sawyer, Henry Ward, Joshua 
Freeman, and Amasa Heath. 

The First Baptist society, of Henderson, was formed June 5, 

1824, with Samuel Cole, Shuball Athiston, and Amasa Brown, 
trustees. In 1824, this society, assisted by the masonic fraternity, 
erected a church, the latter using the second story as a lodge 
room. They sold their interest about 1832. In 1853, this build- 
ing, which stood a little south of Henderson Village, was taken 
down, and a new one erected near the centre of the village. The 
same clergy have generally been employed here as at Smithville. 

The Smithville Congregational church was formed January 3, 
1824, by Rev. Abel L. Crandall, of ten males, twenty-two fe- 
males. March 13, 1824, the church resolved to unite with the St. 
Lawrence Presbytery, on the accommodation plan. Rev. Messrs. 
J. Ingersoll, D. Spear, L. A. Sawyer, J. Covert, A. Putnam, H. 
Doane, George J. King, Charles Halsey, L. M. Shepard, George 
Turner, and Henry Budge, have since been employed, mostly 
one-half of the time, the remainder being at North Adams. In 
1829 the church joined the Black R,iver Association, and has since 
so remained. Meetings were held in a school house, built wijh 
12 



170 Henderson. 

the view of holding meetings, until the present church was built. 
The Congregational Society of Smithville was formed Septem- 
ber 16, 1823, having William Gilbert, Joseph T. French, and 
Daniel McNeil, trustees, who united with the Baptists in erect- 
ing a church as above stated. 

The Presbyterians, about 1820, erected a small church in 
Henderson Village, that has been for many years taken down, 
and they have no place of worship at present, in town. A soci- 
ety was formed on the 28th of October, 1819, with Adonijah 
Wheaton, Ralph French, and Jesse Hopkins, trustees. 

The Methodists first organized a society in this town July 29, 
1830, with Beebee Smith, Cyrus Hall, Amos White, Joseph J. 
Hatch and Calvin Bishop, trustees. The first society at the vil- 
lage of Henderson was formed April 9, 1844, with Harvey Crit- 
tenden, Amos White and Sylvanus Ward, trustees. The Metho- 
dists have two churches in town, one on Bishop Street, and one 
in the village, erected by the above societies respectively. 

The First Universalist Society of Henderson was formed Janu- 
ary 13, 1823, with John S. Porter, Roswell Davis, and Amasa 
Hungerford, trustees. The Henderson Universalist Charitable 
Society had been formed February 5, 1819, of thirteen members, 
but not legally perfected till four years. In 1839 a church 40 
by 60 feet was erected in the village, at a cost of $3,000, and 
dedicated in December, 1839. On the 9th of March, 1822, a 
church organization was effected by Rev. Pitt Morse, of nine- 
teen members. The clergy since employed have been P. Morse, 
C. G. Person, Seth Jones, P. Morse, L. Rice, and Alfred Peck. 

On the 25th of December, 1825, a society of the New Jeru- 
salem (commonly called Swedenborgian), was formed in Ellis- 
burgh, at Brewster's school house, of thirteen members, in that 
town and Henderson, but mostly in the latter. Rev. Holland 
Weeks, formerly a Congregational minister, of Abington, Mass., 
who came into Henderson to reside in 1821, and who soon be- 
gan to hold meetings in school houses, was the promulgator of 
these doctrines in town, and preached gratuitously for many 
years. The meetings of the new church were kept up regularly 
by him, till near his death, at the school house in Henderson 
Village, and are still more or less regularly held, as reading 
meetings. The greatest number of members has been between 
thirty and forty; present number seventeen. The Rev. Mr. Weeks 
died in town July 24, 1843, aged 75 years. The first members 
of the New Jerusalem in this town were Holland Weeks, Joseph 
Dickey, Moses J. Morseman, Edward Leslie, Jeremiah Sias, 
Charles Stearns, Jr., John Burt Blanchard, Lucy Ann Blanchard, 
Alvin Wood, Lydia Wood, Ann H. Adams, Hannah M. Good- 
ale, and Harriet A. W T eeks. 



Houndsfield. 171 

HoUNDSFIELD. 

This township, or No. 1, of the Black River Tract, was formed 
from Watertown, February 17, 1806, the first town meeting 
being held at the house of Joseph Landon. 

A proposition for the formation of a new town from Water- 
town and Adams had been previously discussed, which was de- 
signed to take three ranges of lots from the north side of No. 
7, and annex to No. 1, the new town to be called Newport. A 
special meeting was called in Adams, to take the matter under 
consideration, on the 10th of November, 1S03, and avote against 
the division'was passed, but the meeting united in a petition for 
the erection of No. 8 into a separate town, which was done at 
the next session of the legislature, under the name of Harrison s 
since changed to Rodman. 

At the first town meeting held by notification of Amasa Fox, 
at the house of Ambrose Pease and from thence adjourned to the 
house of Joseph Landon, March 4, 1806, Augustus Sacket 
was chosen supervisor; William Waring, clerk; Amasa Fox, 
William Baker, Samuel Bates, Jr., Theron Hinman, assessors; 
Ambrose Pease, Robert Robbins, co?n , rs highways; Jotham 
W T ilder, John Patrick, overseers of poor; Jeremiah Goodrich, 
collector; J. Goodrich, Wm. Galloway, John Root, constables. 

Supervisors. — 1806-8, Augustus Sacket; 1808 (special meet- 
ing), Elisha Camp; 1809-18, E. Camp; 1819, Hiram Steele; 
1820-23, E. Camp; 1824, Daniel Hall, Jr.; 1825, E. Camp; 
(special meeting to fill vacancy), Wm. Baker; 1826-27, Daniel 
Hall, Jr.; 1828, E. Camp; 1829-41, Daniel Hall; 1842, Seth P. 
Newell, Jr.; 1843, Benjamin Maxon; 1844, D. Hall; 1845, 
Augustus Ford; 1846-47, B. Maxon; 1848-50, Jesse C. Dann; 
1851, Samuel T. Hooker; 1852, J. C. Dann; 1853, Edgar B. 
Camp. 

1806. "Resolved, That the inhabitants of this town, who shall 
hunt any wolf or panther in this town (though he should kill 
such wolf or panther in any other town), shall be entitled to $10 
bounty." 

" Resolved, That three delegates be appointed by this town to 
attend a general meeting of the county to nominate a suitable 
candidate for the legislature, at their own expense." Theron 
Hinman, Augustus Sacket, and Amasa Fox, appointed. 

At a special meeting called for the purpose, January 10, 1807, 
A. Sacket, John Patrick and Elisha Camp, were chosen to 
represent the town at a meeting of delegates from other towns, 
at Watertown, to take into consideration the military situation 
of the county. They were intrusted to protest against any undue 
influences that might be exercised in the meeting. 



172 Hounchjield. 

1807. $10 voted as bounty for every wolf or panther which 
shall be killed by any inhabitant of the town, which wolf, or 
panther shall be started by such inhabitant within this town. A 
bounty of $25 voted for the greatest quantity of hemp, above five 
hundred weight. Elisha Camp appointed surveyor to the town. 

1808. Voted not to accept the state road as a town road. 
1812. Canada thistles to be destroyed, under a penalty of $1; 
the fines to go towards rewarding; such as might discover some 
method of destroying them. " Resolved, that hogs be free com- 
moners, if yoked, the yokes to be 24 inches long by 15, and small 
hogs in proportion." 1815. The poor masters authorized to 
build a poor house for transient poor, if they thought necessary. 
1824. At a special meeting, voted against the poor house system, 
and a remonstrance to the legislature voted. The wolf and pan- 
ther bounties were continued till 1816. In 1822, 1S23, 1831, a 
fox bounty of 50 cents was offered. In 1828, the highway com- 
missioners, were directed to offer as stock, the half of the cost of 
the bridge at Dexter, to the plank road leading from thence to 
Bagg's Corners, on the W. & S. H. P. R., and if refused, to petition 
that the bridge be made a toll bridge. 

This town derives its name from Ezra Houndsfield, a native of 
Sheffield, in England, who, about 1800, came to New York as 
agent for his brothers, John and Bartholomew Houndsfield, man- 
ufacturers and merchants of Sheffield. He engaged in the hard- 
ware trade, and in company with Peter Kimball, purchased in 
common the south half of township No. 1, or the present town of 
Houndsfield. This purchase was made of Harrison and Hoffman, 
March 10, 1801, and subsequently other and smaller purchases 
were made. Mr. Houndsfield was a bachelor, and died in New 
York, about 1817. By his will, dated April 7, 1812, he ap- 
pointed David A. Ogden, Edward Lynde, John Day and Thomas 
L. Ogden, his executors, who advertised a sale at auction of 
the remaining interest of the estate in town at Sackets Harbor, 
August 1, 1817. The executors bought in the property and 
afterwards conveyed it to Bartholomew, the father of George 
Houndsfield, the present heir of the family, living in Sheffield. 

The town is said to have been named through the influence of 
Mr. Augustus Sacket, who was an acquaintance of Mr. Hounds- 
field. The latter was accustomed to spend his summers in town. 

From an early period of the purchase, the waters of Black 
River Bay were regarded as an eligible place for a commercial 
point, and in a work published in Paris in 1801,* the follow- 
ing description of it is given under the name of JViahoure. 
" At the bottom of this gulf Black River empties, forming a 

* Voyage dans la Haute Pensylvanie, et dans l'Etat de New York, par un 
membre adoptif de la Nation Oneida. Vol. Ill, p. 408. 



Houndsfield. 173 

harbor sheltered from the winds and surges of the lake, which, 
during the prevalence of the south-west winds, roll like those 
pf the ocean. The land on the right or south of this bay, is 
extremely fertile, and is a grove more fresh than can elsewhere 
be seen. That on the left, i. e. the country that extends to the 
north of the bay of Niahoure, as far as the St. Lawrence, and 
east to the Oswegatchie, is not less fertile, and the colonists 
begin to vie in settling it." This bay is elsewhere in the work 
described as comprising all the waters within Six Town Point, 
and Point Peninsula, which on ancient maps was named ha 
Famine, by the French, and Hungry Bay, by the English. On 
some maps this term is applied to what is now known as Hen- 
derson Bay, and in others to Chaumont Bay. The origin of the 
name is unkown, unless perhaps it may have been derived from 
the misfortunes of De La Barre in 1684. 

This town, having been conveyed through Macomb and Con- 
stable to Harrison, Hoffman, Low, and Henderson, as related in 
our history of the titles, fell to the share of Harrison and Hoff- 
man on division, and the north part was conveyed June 13th, 
1797, for $58,333*33 to Champion and Storrs, amounting to 
11,1341 acres,* with the town of Champion (25,708 acres). On 
the 14th of November, 1798, Champion and Storrs sold a portion 
of the above to Loomis and Tillinghast, receiving two notes of 
$6000 each, which, with a mortgage upon the premises, not 
being paid, the tract was sold by a decree of chancery, at the 
Tontine Coffee House in New York, June 20th, 1801, and bid 
off by Augustus Sacket of that city, who received a conveyance 
from Champion, and the assignees of Loomis and Tillinghast. 
While the sale was pending, Mr. Sacket having heard of the 
location, and inclining to engage in its purchase, made a journey 
early in 1801 to the place, and was so struck with the great 
natural advantages for a port which the place presented, that 
he hastened back, and having secured the purchase, returned 
with a few men to commence improvements. In the second and 
third year, he erected an ample and convenient dwelling, and 
the little colony received the accession of mechanics and others. 
Other parts of the town began to settle quite as early as the 
village, especially towards Brownville, near w T hich place Araasa 
Fox is said to have made the first improvement in town. In 
September, 1802, a traveler reported about 30 families living in 
township No. 1. The south part of the town, sold to Kemble 
and Houndsfield, was first placed in the hands of Silas Stow, of 
Lowville, as agent, and in an advertisement in the Columbian 
Gazette,^ of Utica, June 11th, 1804, the land is represented as 
excellent, and "the flourishing state of Mr. Sacket's village, its 

* Oneida Deeds, 6, 32. t Vol. 2, No. 65. 



174 Houndsfield. 

advantages of water carriage and its valuable fishery, renders it 
one of the most inviting objects to an industrious settler." 

In 1805, several English families settled at Sackets Harbor,- 
among whom were Samuel Luff, and sons, Edmund, Samuel, 
Jr., Joseph and Jesse; David Merritt, William Ashby, John 
Roots, Henry Metca If, and George Slowman. Besides these, 
John and William Evans, Squire Reed, Amasa Hollibut, Charles 
Barrie, Uriah Roulison, Azariah P. Sherwin, and others. Dr. 
William Baker settled in 1803, and was the first physician. 
Ambrose Pease, and Stephen Simmons, were early innkeepers, 
and Loren Buss, and Hezekiah Doolittle, merchants. The 
place was at an early day very healthy, and from February, 
1805, till January, 1809, it was remarkable that but one case of 
death occurred (except that of infants), and this was from an 
accidental discharge of a pistol by one of the men employed in 
preventing intercourse with Canada during the embargo. The 
victim of the accident was one McBride, who was killed by 
Julius Torrey, a negro, with whom he had been a companion for 
several years on a desolate island, in the South Seas, and whom 
for a long time he had not seen, and the accident was felt with 
great severity by him. Late in 1808, typhus fever began to 
appear among the citizens and a detachment of United States 
troops, originating with the latter, and of this sickness many 
died. 

On the 5th of March, 1809, Sacket conveyed 1700 acres, the 
present village of Sackets Harbor, to Cornelius Ray, William 
Bayard, and Michael Hogan for $-30,000 in trust, and a few 
days after Ezra Houndsfield, and Peter Kemble, conveyed to the 
same parties their interest in the tract.* In a declaration of trust 
subsequently made,f the parties concerned in this purchase ap- 
pear to have been C. Ray, W. Bayard, M. Hogan, Herman Le 
Roy, James McEvers, Joshua Waddington, James Lenox, Wil- 
liam Maitland, William Ogden, McLeod, Benjamin W. 

Rogers, Duncan P. Campbell, Samuel Boyd, Abraham Ogden, 
David A. Ogden, and Thomas L. Ogden, each owning* y^th part, 
except D. A. & T. L. Ogden, who together owned a T ^th part. 
The first three named were trustees of the others, and Mr. 
Elisha Camp, a brother-in-law of Mr. Sacket, who settled in 
the village in 1804, and has since remained a leading citizen, 
was appointed the resident agent, under whom the estate was 
sold, the last of the business being closed up about 1848 or '9. 
As these proprietors were mostly extensive capitalists of New 
York, it is to be presumed that their influence was exerted in 

* Jefferson Deeds, B. 260, where a map made by William Bridge in March, 
1809, is also recorded, 
t lb. D. 254. 



Huundsjield. 175 

securing from the general government some portion, at Jeast, of 
that attention which this place has received, during and since 
the war as a military and naval depot, but which can scarcely 
be said to have conferred a lasting benefit upon it. The expend- 
iture of several millions of dollars for labor and materials, 
would, in the opinion of most people, be sufficient to impart a 
visible impulse to the prosperity of a place, but from causes 
which it might be improper or foreign to our purpose to investi- 
gate, such has not been the case here. 

About 1S07, there occurred in this town, about 6 miles south 
from the harbor in the Price settlements, one of those incidents 
peculiar to a new country, and which seldom fail to exite the 
sympathies of a whole community, whose common wants, and 
mutual dependence, lead to a bond of union less observable in an 
old settled district. The following sketch was written by Mr. 
David Merritt, one of the English families, who located here in 
February, 1805; the occasion was the loss of a child in the woods. 

" The parents of the child had recently settled in the woods, 
half a mile from any other dwelling. It was of a Lord's day 
evening, about sunset; the father set out to visit his nearest neigh- 
bor, and, unobserved by him, his son, a child of four years, fol- 
lowed him. 

The father tarried an hour or two, and returned, not having 
seen the little wanderer. The mother anxiously enquired for her 
child, supposing her husband had taken him with him; their 
anxiety was great, and immediate though fruitless search was made 
for the little fugitive. Several of the nearest neighbors were 
alarmed, and the night was spent to no purpose in searching for 
the child. On Monday a more extensive search was made by 
increased numbers, but in vain; and the distressed parents were 
almost frantic with grief and fearful apprehensions for the child's 
safety. 

Another afflictive and sleepless night passed away, and the 
second morning beamed upon the disconsolate family, the child 
not found, and by this time (Tuesday), reports were in circulation 
of a panther's having been seen recently in the woods by some 
one. This circumstance gave a pungency to the grief and feelings 
of every sympathetic heart unknown before; and the timid and 
credulous were ready to abandon any further efforts to recover 
the child, and give the distressed parents up to despair. 

It was however concluded to alarm a still more extensive circle, 
and engage fresh volunteers in a work that must interest and 
arouse even the unfeeling on common occasions. A messenger 
was dispatched to Sackets Harbor, a distance of six miles; it was 
in itself an irresistible appeal to every feeling heart. To feel, 
was to act. 



176 Houndsfield. 

Messrs. Luff, Ashby, Merritt, and others immediately mounted 
their horses, and repaired to the scene of painful anxiety; this 
was about eleven o'clock in the forenoon of Tuesday. When 
they arrived at the spot, the number present, that had collected 
from all quarters, was about five hundred men. A small number- 
was immediately chosen as a committee to direct the best method 
of search, and they were formed in a line, extending to the right 
and left of the house, a mile each way. They were placed so 
far apart as, for every foot of ground they passed in their search, 
to come under their observation; and when they had marched 
such a given distance from the house, the left or right wing were 
to wheel in such a way, as would, by pursuing the same plan, 
have effectually searched every spot within several miles of the 
house, before evening. The order of the day was, that no person 
should fire a gun, sound a horn, halloo, or make any needless 
noise, whatever; but with vigilance, and a sense of duty to the 
distressed parents, use every effort to recover the child. If the 
child was found alive, every person, that had a gun, was to fire, 
and every one that has a horn to sound it; on the contrary, if the 
child was found dead, one gun only should be fired, as a signal 
to the remote line to cease searching. 

In this w r ay, in silence, they had inarched about two miles, 
when a distant gun sounded; it was an anxious moment. "Is the 
child alive?" was a thought that ran through every mind; a 
moment more and the hope was confirmed, for the air and forests 
rang with guns and horns of every description. 

The lines were immediately broken up, and each ran, anxious 
to see the little lost sheep. The dear little fellow was presented 
to his now overjoyed parents; a scene that overcame all present. 

When the little boy was found, he was sitting on a small 
mossy hillock, in the middle of a swamp, surrounded by shallow 
water. When the man, who first approached him, extended his 
arms and stooped to take him up, he shrunk from him, appeared 
frightened, and shewed a disposition to get from him. But he 
was much exhausted, and seized eagerly an apple that was held 
to him. Had he not been rescued from his situation, he probably 
would have died at that spot." 

The first mercantile operation at Sackets Harbor on an extensive 
scale, Was by Samuel F. Hooker, who in 1S0S commenced with 
a stock of $20,000 worth of goods, and in 50 days had sold 
$'17,500 worth. The business that then opened with the brightest 
prospects, was the trade of potash, to Montreal, where Astor and 
other heavy capitalists, had placed money in the hands of agents, 
for its purchase. The embargo of 1808, by withholding those 
along our frontier from a career in which they were highly pros- 
perous, naturally led to a spirit of evasion of the laws, and the 



Houndsjield. 177 

difficulty of exporting this great staple of commerce, directly 
from the Atlantic ports to Europe, led to extensive and systematic 
measures for forwarding to the lake and river, from the interior 
and southern counties of the state, and even from New York, 
large quantities of potash. This sometimes vanished in the night, 
or was shipped with due formality to Ogdensburgh, where it dis- 
appeared, and sometimes an open course of defiance of law was 
attempted. In whatever way it may have escaped, it was sure 
of reappearing in Montreal, where it commanded the enormous 
sums of $200 to $320 per ton, and from whence there was no 
obstacle to its export to England. To check this contraband 
trade, two companies of regulars were stationed at Ogdensburgh, 
and Capt. Wm. P. Bennett, with a part of a company of artillery, 
and Lieut. Cross, with a few infantry, was stationed here in 1808 
and a part of 1809. 

On the declaration of war, the United States possessed almost 
no means, whatever, for defensive operations on this frontier. 
The brig Oneida, under Lieutenant Woolsey, with an armament 
of 16 guns, a heavy 36 pound iron cannon, and a few smaller 
ones, some of which belonged to the state militia, constituted the 
sum of our means of defence. The British, it was well known, 
had been preparing for the event, one or two years at Kingston, 
and when the news of war arrived, had the means afloat at that 
place, not only of commanding the lake, but of landing whatever 
force they might possess, at such points as they might select, 
without a reasonable prospect of resistance. Col. Christopher P. 
Bellinger, with a body of drafted militia, had been stationed at 
this place, and an artillery company, under Capt. Elisha Camp, 
had been formed, and had offered their services for a short time, 
which had been accepted by General Brown. As ordnance and 
military stores were of first importance for the defence of the 
place, a meeting was called to press upon the governor the im- 
portance of an immediate attention to these wants, of which the 
following is a copy of the proceedings: 

Sachets Harbor, July 11, 1812. 
"His Ex. Gov. Tompkins, Respected Sir: — The undersigned, a com- 
mittee appointed on the part of the officers stationed at Sackets Harbor, 
and the villagers, for the purpose of adopting measures of defence for 
this place, heg leave to address you on this subject. We would earnestly 
solicit your attention to the exposed situation of this place, its liahility 
to attack, and to the most expeditious means of resisting with effect any 
offensive operations. This place, it will be known, is the station or port 
from whence the brig Oneida derives all her supplies, and the almost only 
harbor she can with safety resort to from the bad weather of the lake. 
It is a village respectable for size and population, and is the easiest of 
access to any hostile naval force upon the lake. The English have a 
disposable effective naval force of at least sixty eight guns, while all our 
defence consists of 18 guns, ou board the Oneida, and 2 nine pounders on 



178 Houndsjield. 

shore, less than one third of what may be made to bear upon us. Under 
these circumstances, according to the established usages of war, it would 
be bordering upon insanity for us not to expect that an attack will be 
made upon us, the troops stationed here driven from their encamp- 
ment, a landing effected under the cover of naval artillery, and the village 
demolished, with a large amount of property, and loss of life. And in 
fact we have it credibly reported, that it is the intention of our enemies 
to capture Captain VVoolsey, and destroy the navigation on our side of 
the lake. Having two schooner prizes in port, besides other craft, we of 
course must daily expect a visit. Under this point of view, we have for 
some time considered the subject, and have been awaiting with anxious 
expectation the arrival of cannon and ammunition. It is far from the 
wish of the citizens of this place to retire from it with their families and 
effects and thereby scatter alarm and dismay throughout the country at 
large, but we assure you honored sir, that every consideration of prudence 
and self persevation would dictate the measure, did not reinforcements of 
artillery soon arrive. We have a very well disciplined company of artil- 
lery, of citizens belonging to this place, who can be rallied at a very short 
notice, and would in conjunction with the soldiers be competent to the 
management of a number of heavy pieces of ordnance besides the two 9 
pounders already here. We should therefore respectfully solicit, that 
the two 9 pounders, and two sixes and other ordnance at the Rome Ar- 
senal, might with suitable fixed and other ammunition be forwarded 
with all possible expedition, and if 10 or 12 nines, twelves, or eighteen 
pounders, could be forwarded, we should consider the troops, the village 
and the brig Oneida, when here, as secure from attack, or if attacked 
would be able to give a good account of our adversaries. This place 
would then be a safe retreat to the Oneida, should she meet with a re- 
verse of fortune, as well as a safe place of refuge for the navigation of the 
lakes, no harbor being easily of access, or naturally more secure. At 
present, there is no place to which the Oneida can resort with safety, 
in case of attack with a superior force. 

Oswego, Sodus, and Genesee River, she cannot enter with her guns 
aboard, and Niagara is too much exposed. We would further take the 
liberty of suggesting the propriety of some engineer being ordered on 
with instructions to erect suitable temporary batteries to be thrown up by 
the troops for such pieces of ordnance as may be stationed here. Any 
communication that your honor may think proper to make through 
Captain L. Buss, the bearer, to the keeper of the arsenal at Rome or other- 
wise, we have no doubt will be executed with fidelity and dispatch." 

The committee who drafted the above were Colonel Bellinger, 
Major Dill, Captain E. Camp, F. White, and W. Warring. 

During the war, Sackets Harbor became the theatre of military 
and naval operations on an extensive scale, the details of which 
will be given in our chapter on that subject. It was twice 
attacked by the British, without success, and it Mas the station 
from which were fitted out the expeditions against Toronto, Fort 
George, &c, and the unfortunate enterprise under General 
Wilkinson, in the fall of 1813. From its being the centre of 
operations so extensive, and the rendezvous of great numbers 
of sailors and soldiers, many incidents occurred that possess much 
interest, and scenes of vice and misery inseparable from camps, 
became familiar to the citizens. 



Houndsfield. 179 

At this station about a dozen military executions were per- 
formed during the war, for repeated desertion, with the view of 
striking terror into the minds of the disaffected, but with the 
effect of increasing the evil. These cases were many of them 
young men from New England, of respectable families, who in 
the heat of poltical excitement had enlisted in the army, and 
who found themselves the victims of the wanton barbarity of 
officers, exposed to the severest hardships of the camp, and often 
ill clad, and worse fed, sometimes without shelter, and always 
without sympathy. Was it unnatural that under these circum- 
stances the memories of home, with all its comforts, and the 
thoughts of mothers, sisters, wives, and children, and the thou- 
sand associations that cluster around the domestic fireside, should 
come freshly to mind with a force that was irresistible % Seve- 
ral of these cases excited much sympathy, among w r hich was 
that of a boy of sixteen years of age, who had been bribed with 
a gold watch, to open a prison door at Greenbush, and who was 
here arrested and convicted. Many officers and citzens made 
strenuous efforts to obtain reprieve, which were enforced by the 
appeals of a mother, but without effect; the agonised parent fol- 
lowed her child to the gallows, and the sympathizing tears of 
the spectators bespoke the feeling which this rigid exercise of the 
iron rule of war had occasioned. 

To the condemned, opportunity was always given to make 
remarks, in which some admitted the justice of their fate, others 
plead the entreaties of their comrades, or the urgent necessities 
of home; and others, while they acknowledged their crime, sup- 
plicated mercy with all the eloquence which the occasion could 
command. Others treated their fate with indifference, or openly 
preferred it to a life under the circumstances. On one occasion 
the convict, on approaching the scaffold, scrutinized its construc- 
tion with the eye of a carpenter, leaped upon the platform, pushed 
off the hangman, and jumped off himself; but a reprieve arrived 
the instant after, and he was restored. The place of execution 
was generally in the rear of the village, where the graves were 
dug, and the convicts were marched to the spot, surrounded by a 
guard, and after kneeling by their coffins, were dispatched by the 
shots of several muskets, a part of which only were loaded with 
ball. There were commonly eight men detailed for this purpose. 
The brutality of officers was in some instances excessive; the 
most extreme corporeal punishment being inflicted from the 
slightest causes, or from mere caprice; and such was sometimes 
the bitterness of men towards officers, that in one case it is 
said a captain durst not lead his company in an action, for fear 
of being shot by his own men. 

Nor were there wanting incidents of a ludicrous kind, which 



180 Honndsjield. 

enlivened the monotony of the camp, and showed the lights, as 
well as the shades of the soldier's life. Abuses will sometimes 
work their own reform, as was illustrated in an amusing instance 
at this station during the war. A mess of militia soldiers had 
received, for their rations, a hog's head, an article of diet not 
altogether available, or susceptible of fair and equal division 
among them. They accordingly, upon representation of the 
facts, procured at other messes in the cantonment, a contribution 
in kind, to supply their wants for the coming week, and after the 
morning review, having placed upon a bier, borne on the shoul- 
ders of four men, their ration of pork, they marched through the 
village with muffled drum, and notes of the death march, to the 
cemetery, where it was solemnly buried with military honors. 
On the next occasion, they received from the commissary store 
a supply of edible meat, and the occasion for a similar parade 
did not afterwards occur. 

Soon after the battle of May, 1813, a breastwork of logs and 
earth was built around the village, one end touching the bay 
about half way between the harbor and Horse Island, and the 
other at the site of Madison Barracks. No opportunity was 
afforded subsequently for the use of these defences. The village 
contained at the close of the war, several block houses and can- 
tonments, a considerable quantity of military stores, and a large 
fleet of vessels that were laid up at this place; but these have 
gradually disappeared, until little now remains — one block house, 
the hull of a frigate of 120 guns,^and the remains of one breast- 
work. 

A duel was fought with muskets near Madison Barracks, June 
13, 1818, between two corporals of the 2d Reg't U. S. Infantry, by 
which one of them was instantly killed. The surviving party 
was arrested and imprisoned, but the result we have not learned. 
During the war several duels were said to be fought here, but 
they did not attract particular attention with the public, by 
whom these acts were then differently regarded from the present. 
The state of society left here after the war was necessarily cor- 
rupt, from the numbers of dissolute soldiers, and others, who re- 
mained, and the malign influence of vicious examples, of which a 
state of war and a military cantonment invariably furnish too many 
instances, could not fail of leaving their pollution, which years of 
effort on the part of well disposed citizens could not effectually 
remove. The place being continued both as a naval and a 
military station, gave employment to many laborers on the pub- 
lic works, among too many of whom intemperance was a com- 
mon habit, which was followed by all the vices of which it is 
the prolific parent. Among most of the officers stationed here 
after the war, was a high appreciation of morality and good 



Houn dsjield. 181 

order, and to them in no small degree is due the first efficient 
efforts towards the formation of religious societies, and the main- 
tenance of regular religious services on the sabbath. 

A short distance from the village, and forming three sides of 
a square that is open to the bay, are Madison Barracks, which 
were built between August, 1816, and October, 1819, under the 
direction of Thomas Tupper, D. Q. M. G., of the 2nd Infantry, 
at a cost of $85,000; the plan of the buildings was drawn by 
Wm. Smith. Considerable irregularity occurred in the issue of 
due bills, for labor done on these works, which was in part 
remedied by an act passed in 1836, "for the relief of Jesse Smith 
and others." It would be as inexpedient, as to numbers still 
living unnecessary, to particularize instances of corruption and 
fraud in the expenditure of funds at this place, during the war, 
of which the government never had cognizance, but of which the 
public could not fail of being witness, and it may admit of ques- 
tion, whether the names of certain villains should be allowed to 
rot, or held up to the execration of honest men for all coming 
time. 

President Monroe, soon after his induction into office, undertook 
a tour through the northern section of the Union, to observe the 
condition of the frontier, and make such arrangements for its 
military security, as might be deemed necessary. Having reached 
Ogdensburgh, on the 1st of August, 1817, he was met by Major 
General Brown, and attended to Rossie, and Antwerp, where he 
was met by Mr. Le Ray, and conducted to Le Raysville. On the 
3d he was waited upon by the committee of arrangements, and 
escorted thence by three troops of horse, under Captains Loomis, 
Fairbanks and White, to the house of Isaac Lee, in Watertown, 
where he received a concise though flattering address from the 
citizens. He then proceeded to Brownville, and on the 4th to 
Sackets Harbor. Upon arriving at the bridge, at the bounds of 
the village, he was saluted with nineteen guns. The bridge was 
tastefully fitted up with nineteen arches, on which were inscribed 
the names of the several Presidents; the first arch being sur- 
mounted by a living American Eagle. At its extremity, the 
chairman of the committee introduced to the President a number 
of veteran officers and soldiers of the revolution, by whom he 
was thus addressed: 

" Sir — It is with pleasure that we, a few of the survivors of the revolu- 
tion, residing in this part of the country, welcome the arrival of the 
chief magistrate of the Union. It is with increased satisfaction that we 
recognize in him one of the number engaged in the arduous struggle of 
establishing the independence of the country. We have lived, sir, to see 
the fruits of our toils and struggles amply realized, in the happiness and 
prosperity of our country; and, sir, we have the fullest confidence, that 
under your administration, they will be handed down to our posterity, 



182 Houndsjield. 

unimpaired. Like your immortal predecessor, the illustrious Washington, 
may you be honored by the present and future generations, and finally 
receive the rich reward with him in realms above." 

The President received this address with expressions of cordial- 
ity and esteem, highly cheering and satisfactory to the veteran 
soldiers, in several of whom he recognized his former associates 
in arms, in the revolutionary war. Upon passing Fort Pike, a 
national salute was fired, and at the hotel, to which he was 
conducted by Capt. King, chief marshal of the day, an address 
was read to him by the chairman of a committee of citizens. 
Commodore Woolsey then presented the officers of the navy, 
attached to his command. The public works were inspected, 
the troops reviewed, and in the evening the village was tastefully 
illuminated. The events of the late war had given importance 
to this place, and it became a subject of interest, to determine 
what works should be erected for its protection. In this the Pre- 
sident was aided by Major Totten, a military engineer, who had 
been ordered to join the suite at Burlington. 

On the 6th, the President embarked on board the U. S. brig 
Jones, under a national salute, and sailed in company with the 
Lady of the Lake to Niagara. 

For nearly ten years after the close of the war, Colonel Hugh 
Brady was stationed at the harbor, where he organized the 2d 
regiment of United States Infantry. He was subsequently as- 
signed the command of the station at the Sault St. Mary, and 
died, at Detroit, about two years since. 

Captain Alden Patridge, of Middletown, Ct., the celebrated 
teacher of a military school at that place, in the summer of 1828, 
proposed to establish a military and scientific school at Madison 
Barracks, and Peter B. Porter, then secretary of war, on the 3d 
of July, announced in a letter to the citizens of Sackets Harbor, 
the consent of the President, to the loan of the premises, for a 
term of years to the trustees, who might have it in charge. 
This was confirmed by a joint resolution of Congress, of May 2, 
1828, but nothing further was done toward effecting this object. 

Whiie Colonel Brady had command of this station, the remains 
of most of the officers, who had fallen in the field, or died of 
sickness, on the frontier, were collected and buried together, 
within the pickets of Madison Barracks, doubtless with the in- 
tention that at a future time they should be honored with a 
monument, worthy of the memories of American Citizens, who 
fell in the defence of the American Rights, and the vindication 
of our national sovereignty and honor. 

A temporary wooden monument of pine boards, the form, 
without the substance, of a testimonial to their memory, and 
perhaps emblematical of the empty and perishable honors, which 



Houndsfeld. 183 

our people are too wont to bestow upon those who deserve well 
of their country, was placed over the spot where these remains 
were buried, but which, from neglect, and the natural action of 
the elements, has tumbled down. From the panels, which were 
broken and defaced, we made out, with great difficulty, the fol- 
lowing inscriptions: 

North Side. — "Brigadier General\L. Covington, killed, Chrys- 
ler's Field, U. C, November 11, 1813." "Lieutenant Colonel 
E. Backus, Dragoons, killed at Sackets Harbor, 29 May, 1813." 

East Side. — '* Colonel Tuttle," " Lieutenant Colonel Dix," 
" Major Johnson," "Lieutenant Vandev enter." 

South Side, — " Lieutenant Colonel Mills, Volunteer, killed 
at Sackets Harbor, 29 May, 1813," " Captain A. Spencer, 29th 
Infantry, aid-de-camp to Major General Brown, killed at Lun- 
dy's Lane, July 25, 1814." 

West Side. — " Brigadier General Z. M. Pike, killed at York. 
U. C.j 27 April, 1813." " Captain Joseph Nicholson, Uth 
Infantry, aid-de-camp to General Pike, killed at York, U. C, 
21 April, 1813." 

A few years since, the remains of Colonel Mills were removed 
to Albany. 

A prominent and attractive relic of the war at this place, is 
the hull of the frigate New Orleans, which had a keel of 187 
feet, beam 56 feet, hold 30 feet, and a measurement of 3200 tons. 
She was pierced for 110 guns, and could have carried 120. The 
British had got out the St. Lawrence, a three deck man-of-war, 
of 120 guns, and this rendered it necessary to produce some ves- 
sel to match the enemy, and led to the commencement of this 
undertaking. The vessel was never launched, and has been pre- 
served at considerable expense by the government who have 
caused it to be covered by a house. She was to have been 
named the New Orleans. The Chippewa, a vessel quite as large, 
was building at Storr's Harbor, further up the bay, when the 
news of peace put a stop to the building, which had not ad- 
vanced so far as the New Orleans. A house was built over this 
also, and it was preserved many years, but finally taken down 
for the iron it contained. Modern improvements in navigation, 
and especially in the use of steam, have rendered vessels of this 
class, especially on this water, entirely unavailable, and the 
question of keeping up this vessel may be regarded as one of 
doubtful expediency. There are but very few ports on the lake, 
where a vessel drawing water to a depth that this would require 
could enter. 

About 1838, the political aspect of our northern frontier 
threatening collision with the English in Canada, a large num- 
ber of heavy iron cannon, of modern construction, and suited 



184 Houndsjield. 

for a naval armament, was sent to this place where they now 
remain. 

Previous to the war, a flourishing commerce had sprung up on 
Lake Ontario, and the following vessels were engaged in trade, 
all of them having more or less business at Sacket's Harbor: 
Genesee Packet, Capt. Obed Mayo, of Ogdensburgh; Diana, 
Capt. A. Montgomery; Fair American, Capt. Augustus Ford; 
Collector, Capt. Samuel Dixon; Experiment, Capt. C. Holmes; 
Charles arid Ann, Capt. Pease; Dolphin, Capt. William Vaughan, 
and a few others whose names were not obtained. The Fair 
American is said to have been the first vessel built under the 
present government on this lake. She was launched at Oswego 
for the North Western Fur Company. Soon after the war, the 
schooners, Woolsey, Rambler, Farmer's Daughter, Triumph, 
Commodore Perry, Dolphin, &c, were advertised as running on 
regular lines as packets from this port. Ship building, during 
the war, was carried on under the supervision of Henry Eckford, 
who gained, and afterwards maintained, great eminence in this 
department. Noah Brown, and others, who began their career 
under him, subsequently became noted as ship builders. Ever 
since the war, the business of constructing trading vessels at 
this port has been more or less continued, but we have not been 
able to procure the details satisfactorily. 

On the 2d of March, 1799, Congress first enacted a law ap- 
plying to the collection of duties on Lake Ontario, by establish- 
ing two districts, of which all east of Genesee River was in- 
cluded in Oswego, and all west in Niagara District. 

On the 3d of March, 1803, another act was passed, the third 
section of which read as follows: " And be it further enacted: 
That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to 
establish, when it shall appear to him to be proper, in addition 
to the port of entry and delivery already established on Lake 
Ontario, one other port of entry and delivery on the said lake, 
or on the waters or rivers emptying therein, and to appoint a 
collector of customs, to reside and keep an office thereat." 

In pursuance of this law, Sachets Harbor District was soon 
after established and has been since maintained, having been 
reduced in extent by the formation of Oswegatchie District, in- 
cluding St. Lawrence County, March 2d, 1811, and Cape Vin- 
cent District, April 18th, 1818, comprising all below Point 
Peninsula inclusive. The collectors at this port have been: 
Augustus Sacket, Hart Massay, Perley Keyes, John M. Canfield, 
Thomas Loomis, Danforth N. Barney, Leonard Dennison, John 
O. Dickey, Otis M. Cole, Daniel McCullock and AbramKromer. 

Congress passed an appropriation of $3,000, May 20, 1826, 
for clearing out Sackets Harbor, and an equal sum May 23, 



Houndsfield. 185 

1828, for improving the same. On the 3d of May, 1831, the 
sum of- $4,000 was appropriated for a beacon. For improving 
the harbor at the mouth of Black River (Dexter) the following 
sums have been appropriated: July 4, 1836, $-:,000; March 3, 
1837, $10,000; July 7, 1838, $22,401. 

About 1823, a project was brought up for diverting a portion 
of the waters of Black River from the lower pond in Watertown, 
into Pleasant and Mill Creeks, to supply a water power to 
Sackets Harbor. The subject was referred by the legislature to 
the attorney general for his opinion, who decided, that private 
property had often been taken for private purposes; but from the 
opposition of H. H. Coffeen, O. Stone, and others, through whose 
lands the canal would pass, with active influence at Brownville, 
the measure was then defeated. In 1S25, the effort was renewed, 
and an act passed April 20, 1825, which authorized Joseph 
Kimball, Amos Catlin, and Daniel Hall, Jr., to divert the sur- 
plus waters of the river into Pleasant and Stony Creeks, in 
Hrundsfield, Adams, and Henderson, for hydraulic purposes. 
Damages to be assessed by Egbert Ten Eyck, Clark Allen, and 
Joseph Hawkins; and road and farm bridges were to be maintained 
by the company. The act was coupled with a proviso, that the 
waters should not be taken from any dam then existing, without 
the written consent of the owners; that effectually defeated the 
purpose, for this was next to impossible. Being still determined 
to prosecute the matter, a meeting was called at Sackets Harbor, 
February 13, 1826, at which strong resolutions urging their ne- 
cessities, and deprecating the proviso of the late law, were 
passed. The annual loss and inconvenience to farmers for want 
of the privilege, was estimated at from $10 to $50 each, for 
those on the lake shore and its vicinity; and measures were 
resolved upon to get the obnoxious restriction removed by a new 
appeal to the legislature. On the 17th of April, 1826, the act 
was amended; but still it was attended with difficulties that could 
not be surmounted. 

The proposition was next discussed of making the proposed 
canal navigable, which it was estimated could be done at a cost 
of $200,000 from Carthage to Sackets Harbor, and that an an- 
nual revenue from tolls amounting to $ 16,000 could be expected. 

An act was accordingly procured, April 15, 1828, incorporating 
the Jefferson County Canal Company, with a capital of $300,- 
000, in shares of $100, in which Vincent Le Ray, Philip Schuyler, 
Egbert Ten Eyck, Elisha Camp, Jason Fairbanks, Levi Beebee, 
Arthur Bronson, John Felt and Joseph Kimball, were named the 
first parties. Nothing was done under this act. It being under- 
stood that Mr. Elisha Camp, of Sackets Harbor, was willing to 
assume, under certain conditions, the stock necessary for the 
13 



186 Houndsfield. 

construction of the work, a meeting was held at Watertown, 
December 30, 1829, at which a committee of three was appointed 
to confer on the propriety of the course, and learn what encour- 
agement would be afforded in aid of the work. 

By the act of April 28, 1839, a tax was imposed upon real 
estate within the village of Sackets Harbor, and on the mill sites 
on Pleasant Creek, amounting to $3000 in two years, to be 
assessed in proportion to the benefits to be received, and on 
20th of April, 1&30, Elisha Camp was appointed a commissioner 
for this duty in place of Daniel Hall, resigned, and the act was 
extended till June of that year. A canal twenty feet wide at top 
and twelve at bottom, four feet deep, was made in 1830, from 
Huntington's Mills, two miles above the village of Watertown, 
to the Big Swamp, and in 1832 it was finished, supplying to 
the village of Sackets Harbor a valua.ble water power, upon 
which there was erected there a grist mill, two saw mills, plaster 
mill, paper mill, furnace, &c. 

The law was so framed, however, as to give rise to litigation. 
The greatest difficulty, however, encountered, was in maintaining 
the first half mile of the ditch, which was constructed along the 
margin of Black River, where it was liable to be washed away 
on one side, and filled by slides of clay and sand on the other. 
These difficulties finally led the work to be abandoned, after 
having been in use about ten years, to the pecuniary loss of all 
parties concerned. 

On the 23d of May, 1838, a paper mill of Col. Camp, at the 
Harbor, was burned with a loss of from $7,000 to $10,000. It 
had been in operation about a year. 

A destructive fire occurred at Sackets Harbor on the morning 
of August 21, 1843, originating in a ware house on the wharf, 
as was supposed from the cinders of the steamer St Lawrence, 
and spreading rapidly, consumed nine buildings on the north side 
of Main Street, and eight upon the south side. Passing up 
Bayard Street, it consumed several barns and dwellings, and 
from the violence of the wind the flakes of burning materials 
were wafted to the cupola of the Presbyterian Church, which 
was burned. Upon the alley or street in the rear of Main Street, 
a number of buildings and much property was burned. The 
whole number of buildings consumed was about forty; the loss 
over $35,000. Had this fire occurred in the night time, from its 
rapidity and violence, a loss of life could have scarcely been 
avoided. An ineffectual suit was instituted against the steam 
boat company. On several other occasions the village has suf- 
fered severely by fires. 

The village of Sackets Harbor, comprising great lots number 
twenty-two and fifty-four, and subdivision lots one and two, in 



Houndsfield. 187 

great lot number fifty-two, of Houndsfield, was incorporated 
April 15, 1814. Elections of seven trustees were to be held on 
the first Tuesday of June, annually. Not less than three, nor 
more than five assessors were to be elected annually, together 
with a collector, treasurer, and as many fire wardens as the trus- 
tees might direct. A president was to be chosen by the trustees 
from their number, and some proper person for a clerk. 

The bounds of the village were cui tailed April 18, 1831, by 
the detachment of all that portion north and east of the Pleasant, 
or Mill Creek, which were exempt from the operation of the 
former act. 

On the 9th of May, 1840, the act was still further amended. 
A ferry was established across Black River Bay at an early 
day, and by an act of March 31, 1821, Charles Colburn and 
Samuel Folsom were licensed to keep it five years. On the 21st 
of January, 1826, Ezra C. Folsom was in like manner licensed 
for five years. The subject is now under the care of the courts. 
About 1840, a union school house, two stories high, besides 
a basement, was built at Sackets Harbor, on a lot at the corner 
of Broad and Washington streets, given by Mr. Ogden for 
the purpose. The cost was about $2,000, and it is intended for 
three departments. It has been taught by from three to five 
teachers, is supplied with a set of plilosophical apparatus, and af- 
fords facilities equal to those enjoyed at most academies. Schools 
are maintained here four terms of eleven weeks each in the year. 
It is the only public school within the corporation. The head 
teacher has generally been a graduate from college. 

The Gull, Snake, Great and Little Galloo, and Stony Islands 
lying in lake Ontario, west of this town, are considered as be- 
longing to it, although they all are nearer the shore of Hender- 
son. On Galloo island is a lighthouse. 

The Muskelonge Burial Ground Association of Houndsfield 
was formed March 31, 1849, with Frederick M. Livermore, 
Samuel Wilder, Thomas W. Warren, Richard Hooper, John 
Hunt, Chauncey Smith, trustees. 

In IS 15 (September 13), the Union Library of Sackets Har- 
bor was formed, with Justin Butterfield, Elisha Camp, Amos 
Holton, Daniel McGiven, James Goodhue, Andrew B. Cooke, 
and Samuel Bosworth, trustees, but was of short duration. It 
was succeeded by the Houndsfield Library. April 10, 1827, with 
Alexander W. Stow, John McMillan, Nathan Bridge, T. S. 
Hall, and Samuel Guthrie, trustees. About five hundred volumes 
were collected, but it has been long since sold. The Water- 
town and Houndsfield Library was formed January 11, 1831, 
with Eliphalet M. Howard, John C. Herrick, Chauncey D. Mor- 
gan, Obadiah Brainard, and Oliver Grow, trustees, which has 
also gone down. 



188 Houndsfield. 

The Young Men's Association for Mutual Improvement in the 
village of Sackets Harbor, was incorporated March 2, 1843. 
The persons named in the act were Augustus Ford, M. K. Stow, 
Walter Kimball, Edmund M. Luff, Jonathan W. Tuttle, John 0. 
Dickey, Edward S. Robbins, Roswell C. Bosworth, and William 
H. H. Davis. This association, after an existence of a few 
months, was dissolved. 

Religious Societies. — The first regular meetings in this town 
were held by Edmund Luff, an English settler, who, at his own 
expense, erected a house, still standing, for religious services, 
and preached here many years without fee or reward. There 
being no other meetings in the place, these were generally at- 
tended by those of different religious faith. Mr. Luff* was a 
Restorationist, approaching somewhat the doctrines of Univer- 
sal ists, and was a man very free from that narrow spirit of into- 
lerance, that disgraces too much of what is too often denominated 
religion. His pulpit was opened to clergymen of other faiths, 
irrespective of name, and both Catholics and Protestants en- 
joyed, when occasion demanded, the freedom of his house. 
During the war the house was given up for public uses. 

The Sachet's Harbor Presbyterian Society, was formed Feb- 
ruary 12th, 1816, with Melancthon T. Woolsey, Samuel Bos- 
worth, Samuel F. Hooker, Elisha Camp, and Enoch Ely, 
trustees. A site for a church was given by Thomas L. Ogden, 
September, 1817. In 1818, an effort was made to raise the 
means for building a church, which was built in this and the 
following year, and in the great fire of August 19th, 1843, it 
was burned. The Rev. Mr. Judd, and vestry of the Episcopal 
Church, soon after tendered the society the use of their church 
on Sunday afternoons, which was respectfully declined, and the 
session house fitted up until a new church could be built. 

A brick church, 48 by 64, on the corner of Broad and Main 
streets, was built in 1846, at a cost of $6000. A parsonage 
has also been purchased. The Presbyterian Church, was formed 
by an effort of the officers of the army and navy, who were 
anxious to have religious privileges, although not members of a 
church. A minister was hired, and a church formed, February 
6th, 1817, of which several of the army and navy became mem- 
bers. These, on removing, formed others in distant points, at 
Green Bay, Sault St. Marie, &c. Rev. Samuel F. Snowden 
was first employed in 1816, and staid till 1826. In December, 
1826, Rev. J. Burchard was employed about a year, and De- 
cember 11th, 1827, Rev. James R.Boyd till 1830. Rev. J. 
Irvin, was employed in 1831, and January 5th, 1832, was in- 
stalled. In 1836, Rev. — Wilson was invited, and was em- 

* Mr. Luff died at Sackets Harbor in 1822. 






Houndsfield. 159 

ployed. In 1839, Rev. — Sturges, 1 year. In July, 1841, Rev. 
— Payson; in October, 1841, Rev. — Tovvnsend, who in 
February, 1842, was invited to become a pastor, and remained 
several years. On the 29th October, 1849, Rev. Leicester A. 
Sawyer was called, and June 11th, 1850, was installed as pastor. 
The church has belonged to the Watertovvn Presbytery, since 
February 10th, 1819. 

About 1822, a small society of Universalists was formed, 
which continued three or four years. 

Christ's Church (Episcopal) was legally organized, August 
6th, 1821, with Henry Moore Shaw, rector; Zeno Allen, and 
Elisha Camp, wardens; Robert M. Harrison, Samuel 0. Ach- 
rauty, William Kendall, John McCarty, Hiram Steele, Thomas J. 
Angel, Hiram Merril, and Thomas Y. Howe, vestrymen. A 
church organization was formed, September 29th, 1821, and the 
next year a subscription was circulated to obtain the means for 
erecting a chuich. The corner stone was laid, May 26th, 1823, 
with masonic ceremonies, but was not completed till after seve- 
ral years of delay. William Warring, Elisha Camp, W 7 illiam 
M. Robbins, S. F. Hooker, William M. Sands, S. 0. Achmuty, 
and R. M. Harrison, subscribed sums of $100 and upwards, for 
the erection of the church. The Rev. Messrs. M. Beardsley, Wrn. 
L. Keese, A. C. Treadway, — Noble, Benjamin Wright, Jr., 
Rufus D. Stearns, and G. Huntington, have been successively 
employed here as missionaries. In 1852, the church reported 
44 families (79 adults, and 53 children) as belonging to the 
congregation, and 54 as belonging to the church. It receives a 
small stipend from Trinity Church, New York. 

The Methodists formed a legal society here, May 9th, 183 L, 
with Asahel Smith, Alvah Kinney, Hiram Steele, John H. McKee, 
William Francis, Elijah Field, Paniel Griffin, Samuel Whitby, 
and Samuel C. J. DeCamp, trustees. In 1835, it was reor- 
ganized, and in 1841, they erected a church at a cost of about 
$3000. 

The Christian Church of Houndsfield was formed in 1820 of 
about forty members, under the Rev. Lebbeus Field. A division 
having occurred, a new organization was effected, and in 1843 
they erected near Blanchard's Corners, four miles from Water- 
town Village, a church, at a cost of about $1100. 

The Seventh Day Baptist Religious Society of the town of 
Houndsfield, was formed December 26th, 1847, with Benjamin 
Maxson, Elias Frink, John Ulter, Nathan Truman, and John 
Witter, trustees. In 1853, they had 41 members, mostly near 
the line of Watertown. 



190 Le Ray.. 



Le Ray. 



This town, embracing all that part of Brownville, as it pre- 
viously existed, lying east of Penet's Square, continued to Black 
River, was erected Feb*. 17, 1806; the first town meeting being 
directed to be held at the house of Abiel Shurtleff. By an act 
of April 4, 1806, all that part of Leyden, in Jefferson County, 
was annexed to Le Ray, and by the erection of Antwerp, Wilna, 
Alexandria, and Philadelphia, it has been reduced to its present 
limits. The town derives its name from James D. Le Ray de 
Chaumont, the distinguished landholder, who made the town his 
home many years. 

The following officers were elected at the first town meeting, 
in 1807. James Shnrtliff, supervisor; Thomas W a vd^clerkj John 
B. Bossout, Ruel Kimball, Richardson Avery passes sors; Daniel 
Child, Lyman Holbrook, Daniel Sterling, commissioners high- 
ways; Thos. Thurston, constable and collector; Joseph Child, 
Elclad Evans, overseers of the poor. 

Supervisors. — 1807-15, James Shurtliff; 1816, Ruel Kimball; 
1817, Ethni Evans; 1818, Alvin Herrick; 1819-25, Horatio 
Orvis; 1826, Win. Palmer; 1827-29, John Macomber; 1830, 
Stephen D. Sloan; 1831, J. Macomber; 1832, S. D. Sloan; 1833- 
35, Lybeus Hastings; 1836, Ira A. Smith; 1837, S. D. Sloan; 
1838, Daniel D. Sloan; 1839-40, Joel Haworth; 1841-42, Elisha 
Potter; 1843, L. Hastings; 1844-5, Hez. L. Granger; 1846-7, 
Alfred Veber; 1848-49, Joseph Boy er; 1850, Wm. G. Comstock; 
1851, Joseph Boyer; 1852-53, Alonzo M. Van Ostrand. 

Wolf bounties of $5, were voted in 1809, 12, 14, 16, 18; in 
1818 $5 for panthers; wolf bounties of $10 in 1810, 13, 15,20; 
fox bounties of 50 cents voted in 1810,16,17, 18; of $1 in 1821. 
In 1817 voted that the overseers of the poor, and justices of the 
peace, build or hire, a work house for indigent people, and that 
the sum of $50 be levied for that purpose. 

In the summer of 1802, Benjamin Brown, a brother of Gen. 
Brown, commenced the erection of a saw mill on Pleasant Creek, 
in the present village of Le Rayville. The party leit Brownville, 
April 17, to cut a road through to this point, led by Jacob Brown, 
who preceded with a compass to mark the line, and after a few 
miles returned, leaving word that he would send on a team with 
provisions. From the difficulties of the route, these supplies did 
not arrive till the second day, when the parties had reached their 
destination, half famished. In July Mrs. B. Brown arrived, the 
first woman in the settlement, and in the fall the mill was com- 
pleted. At the raising, men were summoned from great distances. 
These occasional reunions for mutual aid, afforded in these 
primitive times ihe only opportunities which they enjoyed for 



Le Ray. 191 

exchanging the news, comparing progress, and speculating 
on the probabilities of the future, nor could thirty or forty men 
in the prime of life, and many of them accustomed to the stimulus 
of ardent spirits, allow those meetings to pass without a frolic. 
Our chronicle relates, that on this occasion "the party was feasted 
upon a fine buck, that, when dressed, weighed 228 pounds." This 
game w r as very common in town at that period. 

The silken cord which binds two willing hearts, will sometimes 
chafe and irritate, as happened in this town, more than half a 
century since, when a lady of many advantages, having wedded 
a Frenchman, accustomed to the rough fare of common life, had 
found the hut of the backwoodsman a poor place for the enjoyment 
of life's comforts; in short, got sick of the bargain, and sent for 
a magistrate to come and untie "the knot." As this request required 
deliberation and council, the justice invited one or two of his 
neighbors to accompany him, and remembering the scripture, 
that "wine maketh the heart glad," took with him a bottle of 
Port, and repaired to the dwelling, with the design of negotiating 
the question, and, if possible, of settling it by mutual compromise. 
The ills of single life were contrasted with the discomforts of 
marriage, in such a light as to produce conviction in preference 
of the latter, and the parties having consented to remarriage, 
were again pledged for life, and the umpires returned home with 
an empty bottle, and a consciousness of having merited the bless- 
ing upon peace makers. The current of wedded life thenceforth 
flowed quiet and uniform till old age, and the parties have but 
recently been separated by the hand of death. 

Scattered settlements had begun in various parts of the present 
town of Le Ray in 1803-4, among whom where Joseph Child, and 
sons Daniel, Samuel, and Moses; Benj. Kirkbride, Thos. Ward 
and others. Wm. Cooper settled at a very early day, resided till 
his death, January 11, 1851. Dr. Horatio Orvis was the first 
practicing physician who located in town about 1808. Roswell 
Woodruff, settled in 1804, about six miles from Watertown, in 
the direction of Evans Mills, where he purchased a large farm, 
and resided till his death in 1830. 

The first general agent from abroad, sent by Mr. Le Ray, to 
look after his lands, was M. Pierre Joulin, the Cure of Chau- 
mont, in France, who was one of the faithful few who would 
not take the constitutional oath, and was sent to America by 
Mr. Le Ray, to save him from the guillotine, and to have a fair 
prospect for providing the means for a comfortable subsistence. 
Joulin was loved and respected by all who knew him, and after 
the troubles in France had subsided, he returned. 

Moss Kent was early appointed to the agency of lands, and 
continued in that capacity several years, living in Mr. Le Ray's 



192 Le Ray. 

family until the departure of that gentleman for Europe in 1810, 
when he remained with his son Vincent. When Joulin iirst 
met Mr. Kent, they would have been unable to communicate, 
had it not been that both being classical scholars, they were en- 
abled to converse in Latin. 

In 1806, Dr. Bawdry, another Frenchman, was sent by Mr. 
Le Ray to select the site of a house, and superintend its erection. 
This vicinity was probably chosen from its central position, and 
the locality was one of much beauty, near the edge, of the pine 
plains, within sight of the little village of Le Raysville, and in 
the midst of a native growth of timber, which w r as carefully 
thinned out, and the premises adorned with every appendage 
that fancy could suggest. Mr. Le Ray came in with his family 
to reside here in 1808, and began a liberal system of settling 
his lands, by opening roads, building bridges and mills, and of- 
fering fair inducements to the first settlers of a new neighbor- 
hood. If he had a fault as a land holder, it was in being over 
indulgent in allowing payments to pass by, and too readily list- 
ening to the complaints of settlers, by which both himself and 
his purchasers were eventually the losers. He was uniformly 
liberal in aiding religious societies and schools, the most of 
whom, on his tract, received, gratuitously, the site for buildings, 
and many of them substantial aid besides. 

About 1819, Mr. Le Ray sent a young and talented scholar 
of the Polytechnic School, by the name of Desjardines, who had 
invented a new mode of manufacturing powder, and caused to 
be erected, under his direction, a powder mill, a mile below Le 
Raysville, which run a few seasons, making a large quantity of 
coarse quality, which had the reputation of being " lazy " but 
strong, and well adapted for blasting. Its slowness gave remark 
to a saying " that on a time, a man having a considerable sup- 
ply, accidentally discovered it on fire, and, being distant from 
neighbors, before it could be extinguished, it had half consumed." 
The mill was afterwards changed to a starch mill, for making 
potato starch, and the site is now occupied by Slocum's grist 
mill. The charcoal used w r as made of alder wood, carefully 
peeled, and charred in close iron vessels. 

Le Raysville continued to be the seat of the land office until 
about 1S35, when it was removed to Carthage, since which the 
place has lost much of its importance. It is but a small village, 
and is nine miles from Watertown, three from Evans' Mills, and 
two from the Great Bend. 

Evans' Mills is a small but pleasant Tillage, situated at the 
junction of West and Pleasant Creeks, th* latter of which af- 
fords a limited amount of water power, and is one mile from In- 



Le Ray. 193 

dian River. It owes its name to Ethni Evans,* a millwright, 
from Hinesdale, New Hampshire, who came into the country in 
the employment of Jacob Brown, about 1802, and July 9, 1804, 
purchased of Le Ray a tract of 192 acres, for $577. About 
1805 or 6, mills were commenced, and in 1809 the place con- 
tained but a saw and grist mill, and a small tavern. The first 
merchant and inn-keeper at the village was Jenison Clark. 

In June, 1812, the inhabitants of Evans' Mills commenced 
the erection of a block house, for protection against Indian mas- 
sacre, but the alarm subsided before the body of the house was 
finished, and it was never used. Several families from the 
Mohawk had settled here, and the traditions they possessed of 
savage warfare, of which some had been witnesses, doubtless 
originated the alarm. 

A post office was established here about 1823-24, which, in 
1846, was changed to Evansville, and in 1851, to the original 
name of Evans' Mills. This village, at present, contains two 
inns, three stores, two groceries, one hardware store, three 
blacksmith shops, one cabinet shop, two wagon shops, one grist 
mill, one saw mill, the usual variety of mechanics, four physi- 
cians, about sixty dwellings, and from 300 to 400 inhabitants. 
There are here churches of the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, 
and Catholic orders. The village is three miles from Le Rays- 
ville, seven from Sterlingville and Philadelphia, ten from Theresa, 
twelve from Stone Mills, thirteen from La Fargeville, three from 
Pamelia Corners, eleven from Brownville, ten from Watertown, 
by plank road, six from Black River Village, and twelve from 
Carthage. The Potsdam and Watertown Rail Road will pass 
through the village. 

The Pine Plains, a very interesting feature, due to geological 
causes, extend into this town from Wilna, and were, when the 
country was first explored, covered with a most valuable growth 
of pine timber. Immense quantities have been cut off, and fires 
have run over more or less of the tract, every few years, since 
1804, so that between the two agencies they have been mostly 
stripped of their timber, leaving a light, barren, sandy soil, of 
little value. Perhaps the most destructive fire that has occurred 
on these plains was in July, 1849, but running fires have oc- 
curred in almost every season of extreme drouth. With the ex- 
ception of these sand plains, the town is fertile and well culti- 
vated. Like several adjoining towns, it is underlaid by vast 
quantities of water limestone, which has been manufactured to a 
considerable extent at one or two places. 

A union library was formed in May, 1810, with Abner Pas- 

* Judge Evans died February 22, 1S32, aged 62. 



194 Le Ray. 

sell, James Shurtl iff, Horatio Orvis, Ruel Kimball, Olney Pierce, 
Isaac Ingerson, and Jonathan Miller, trustees. 

Religious Societies. — The Baptist church of Le Ray was 
formed in 1814, about two miles from Evans' Mills, by Elder 
Maltby, and in 1818 was removed to that place. A society was 
formed November, 1823, with E. Evans, Asa Hall, Levi Read, 
John Macomber, Stephen D. Sloan, and Chauncey Morse, first 
trustees. A church edifice was begun and nearly finished, when 
it was accidentally burned. Mr. Le Ray gave the society a sub- 
stantial donation in lumber, with the aid of which the present 
Baptist church at Evans' Mills was erected. Elders Matthew 
Wilkie, John Blodget, Thomas A. Warner, John F. Bishop, 

Tillinghast, Adams, Ford, N. Bishop, 

Ward, and others have been employed here. In 1835 the soci- 
ety was reorganized. 

The Congregational Church of Le Ray, at Evans' Mills, was 
formed, January 13th, ]814, at the house of Elisha Scofield, by 
Rev. N. Dutton, of Champion, of 12 members. It soon joined the 
Black River Association, and February 12th, 1825, became Pres- 
byterian. In 1841, it united with the Ogdensburgh (old school) 
Presbytery. Rev. Ruel Kimball was employed the first ten years, 
and Rev. C. G. Finney 6 months, in 1825-6, since which, John 
Sessions, R. Pettibone, T. C. Hill, John Eastman, Thomas Bel- 
lamy, and Joseph A. Rosseel, have been employed. Mr. Eastman 
has alone been installed pastor. The First Associated Congrega- 
tional Society of the town of Le Ray was formed, March 3d, 1823, 
with David Burhans, Milton W. Hopkins, Clark W. Cande, Dr. 
Ira A. Smith, Silvenas Evans, and Silvester Kelsey, trustees. 
In 1826, the present church was built at a cost of $2,600, of 
which Mr. Le Ray gave $200. 

The First Reformed Church of the town of Le Ray, was 
formed July 13th, 1822, with Alexander H. Van Brocklin, Peter 
Hovee, Richard Hovee, and John C. Walrath, the first elders and 
deacons. This society has no house of worship. 

The first society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Le 
Ray, was formed November 20th, 1824, with James Ward, Wil- 
son Pennock, Elijah Smith, William Taggard, P. S. Stewart, 
Henry Churchill, Parker Chase, John Y. Stewart, and Daniel 
Smith, trustees. They have been once reorganized, and have a 
church at Evans' Mills. The second society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Le Ray was formed October 25th, 1824, 
with Francis Porter, Seneca Weed, Curtis Cory, John Humphrey, 
Daniel Burden, and Elijah Cory, trustees. This society has 
also been reorganized. 

A Union Church has been recently erected at Sanford's Cor- 
ners in this town. 



Lorraine. 195 

The Friends have a meeting house between Evans' Mills and 
Le Raysville belonging to the Le Ray Monthly Meeting, of 
which denomination a more particular account will be given in 
our account of Philadelphia. 

In 1848, the Catholics erected a church at Evans' Mills (St. 
Michael's), the attending priest being the same as at Watertown. 

Lorraine. 

Was erected as Malta from Mexico, by an act passed March 
24th, 1804, but it being found inconvenient to have two towns 
of the same name in the state, and there being then a Malta in 
Saratoga County, the name was changed to the present, April 
6th, 1S08, together with many others having duplicate names. 

By the first act of incorporation, this town was made to in- 
clude its present limits with those of Worth, or townships one 
and two, of the Boylston Tract, and the first town meeting was 
directed to be held at the house of John Alger, Williamstown in 
Oswego County, and Harrison now Rodman, in this, were 
formed by the same act. At the annual town meeting, legally 
warned, and held March 5th, 1805, at the dwelling house of 
John Alger, the following town officers were elected. Asa 
Brown, supervisor; William Hosford, clerk; Clark Allen, Or- 
mond Butler, Warner Flowers, assessors; 0. Butler, constable 
and collector; William Hunter, C. Allen, poor masters; William 
Hosford, Michael Foost, Asa Sweet, commissioners highways; 
W r illiam Lanfear, Joseph Case, Elijah Fox, fence viewers; 
James McKee, John Griswold, pound masters. 

When the country was new, deer were very common in this 
region, and of course wolves, which led to the offering of bounties 
for their destruction for many years. Wolf bounties* of $5 were 
offered in 1809, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17. 18, 19, 20; of $10 in 
1806, 11. Panther bounties of $5 in 1810, 17, 19, 20; of $10 
in 1811. Fox bounties of $0*50 in IS 16. In 1806, voted, that 
there be a pair of stocks erected in the town of Malta. Voted, 
that the stocks be set at the crotch of the roads near John Alger's. 
W r e can not learn that this salutary instrument of justice was 
ever erected. At the same town meeting voted, that swine be 
yoked, and ringed, and shut up in pens. In IS 12 voted,'that each 
person, allowing Canada thistles to grow, after being notified, 
pay the sum of $*2; that the informer shew the owner where said 

* It has been said, that on a certain occasion, one or more wolves were 
driven from Lewis County into the town, and killed, to secure the bounty. If 
so, the transaction was far more upright than the varied schemes practiced in 
some of the towns of Franklin County, at an early period, to procure the 
reward offered. 



196 Lorraine. 

thistles are; that the money go to support the poor. In 1813 this 
law was again passed. 

Supervisors.— 1S05-6, Asa Brown; 1807, Clark Allen; 1814 
Elihu Gillet; 1815-24, Clark Allen; 1825-29, John Boyclen; 
1830-31, Jared Gleason; 1832-35, J. Boyden; 1836-37, Loren 
Bushnell; 1838-39, Elisha Allen; 1840, L. Bushnell; 1841, E. 
Allen; 1842-43, James Gifford; 1844,J. Boyden; 1845, E. Allen; 
1846, J. Boyden; 1847, David J. Redway; 1848-51, Moses 
Brown; 1852, James Gilford; 1853, Willard W. Huson. 

The first settlement in this town was made in November 1802, 
by James McKee and Elijah Fox, the latter a single man. During 
the following winter and spring several families moved in, 
among whom were Comfort Stancliff, Benjamin Gates, — Cutler, 
— Baleom, John Alger and others. Cutler built mills about 
1804. The first locations were made along the line of the state 
road from Rome to Brownville, and being easily accessible, was 
soon settled. A mail route was established at an early period; 
the first carrier being Simeon Parkhurst. Benjamin Gates was 
the first post master. 

This town was settled under the agency of Benjamin Wright, 
and others; the unsettled interests being owned by the Hon. 
William C. Pierrepont, of Pierrepont Manor. There were, Sept. 
1, 1806, 128 settlers in this town, who had acquired evidences 
of title or long credit to pay for it. 

In quoting from the journal of James Constable, in our account 
of Ellisburgh, we alluded to the practice of issuing certificates to 
settlers. Of these the same journal remarks, August 10, 1805: 

" Town No. 1 was settling very fast, and indeed all that part 
of the country watered by Sandy Creek had got a name that 
brought settlers in great numbers. W r e find the practice of giving 
certificates to those people, allowing them a certain time after 
exploring to go for their families, before they take contracts for 
their lots, has been productive of speculation, and must not be 
continued. A Mr. Salisbury, who had formerly taken a contract, 
sold it to another, and bought, or procured, one of these certifi- 
cates, came to us, apparently to ask indulgence, as to the time 
of payment, but really with a view to ascertain what our inten- 
tions were in respect to such instruments, when we explained to 
him that they were given to assist the first real settlers, and by 
no means to be transferable to second or third parties, as that led 
to speculation, upon the persons who ought to have indulgence, 
not to the speculators, who profited to the disadvantage of both 
the proprietors and actual settlers. We of course would oppose 
all such attempts, and as he had seen fit to change his situation 
from holding a contract under us, to speculating in certificates, 
which he must have known were intended only as an accommo- 



Lorraine. 19? 

dation to the first patties, we could not treat with him, as the 
indulgence intended to them could not be transferred. Upon con- 
versation with Mr. Wright, we found the certificates had already 
occasioned some mischief, and we discovered from others that 
some of the holders of them had caused it to be believed that all 
the best part of the town was taken up, so that new comers were 
obliged to apply to them, or go to some other town. Mr. Wright 
had no books or accounts here, but supposed that about halt of 
the town was sold, either by contract or conditional agreement, 
and would average $3, though the sales were-begun, and a good 
deal sold at $2. The lowest price now was $'3, and it might at 
once be raised to $4, for the whole, from the great immigration 
to this quarter. He gave it as his opinion that it was not for 
our interest to hurry sales, as this town would speedily settle, 
and the price might be raised. We told him he should have our 
determination on our return from St. Lawrence County. W 7 hen 
we were at Smith's Mills we had an application from Mr. Frost, 
whose mill on No. 1, has been carried away by the freshet in 
April, at the rising of Sandy Creek, who stated that his loss by 
that event had disabled him from building another mill, and he 
intends, after paying for his lot, to sell to David Smith, who 
would engage to build a mill on the same site the next season. 
Having told him that we wanted to see Mr. Wright at his house 
(Drake's), to-day, he promised to be there and settle his contract, 
but he did not come, and we find by Mr. Wright that Smith, who 
already holds a quantity of land in No. 1, and is the owner of 
the mills on No. 7, would be an improper person to hold that 
mill seat, unless bound to build a mill immediately, because the 
settlers would be obliged to come to his present mills from a great 
distance. W T e accordingly left directions with Mr. Wright to 
settle with Frost, so that the mill seat did not pass to one who 
would not erect a mill for the accommodation of settlers. Smith 
owns a large property, and is a moneyed man. He is supposed 
to be on the look out for such opportunities, and perhaps pos- 
sessed of some of the certificates just alluded to, it is therefore 
advisable to be cautious of such people. Mr. Wright having in- 
information from Mr. Hunter of the probability of iron ore on lot 
No. on town 7, Ave went this afternoon to the spot, Drake, who is 
a blacksmith, accompanying us. We found the place designated 
by Hunter, which was under the roots of a large tree, blown up 
in a swampy place, where were some collections of a hard sub- 
stance, not unlike the dung of sheep, and those on the surface of 
the ground. We digged with stakes, but found nothing different, 
and after a trial ',by fire at Drake's house of what we brought 
there, the result was an appearance of the cinders of coal rather 
than iron, so that we concluded Hunter was deceived by appear- 



198 Lorraine. 

ances.* We afterwards went to see the remains of a beaver 
meailow, and were much entertained at it, being of large extent, 
and the work of these animals is surprising." 

Soon after the declaration of war, the following document was 
forwarded to General Brown: 

Lorraine, July 21, 1812. 

"Dear Sir: Viewing our country in danger, and feeling a 
willingness to defend the same, sixty men assembled in this place 
and made choice of Joseph Wilcox, as captain; James Perry, 
lieutenant ; Ebenezer Brown, Jr., ensign. This is therefore to 
desire your honor to furnish us with arms and ammunition, while 
you may have the assurance we shall be ready on any invasion 
within the county of Jefferson, at a moment's warning to defend 
the same. The above men met at the house of John Alger, on 
the 16th inst., and may be considered as Silver Grays, that is 
mep who are exempted by law from military duty. We wish 
you, sir, to forward the arms to this place as soon as possible, 
and be assured we are, with respect, your humble servants." 

Joseph Wilcox, Capt.; Jas. Perry, Lt.; E. Brown, Jr., Ens. 

This company frequently met for review and exercise, and on 
the occasion of the attack upon Sackets Harbor, marched for the 
scene of the engagement, but not in time to take part in it. 

The town is elevated, very uneven, and underlaid by shales, 
which occur here so finely developed, that the term Lorraine 
Shales has been applied to the formation. Being composed of 
alternate hard and soft strata, that yield with great facility to 
the disintegrating agencies of frost, atmospheric action, and run- 
ning water, the streams that traverse the town have worn deep 
gulfs, in most places impassable, and causing great inconvenience 
in the location of roads and building of bridges. To the lover 
of nature, the quiet grandeur and ever-changing beauty of these 
romantic chasms, afford attractions, that will repay the labor of a 
visit. The gulf on the south branch of Sandy Creek, is perhaps 
as deserving of notice as any in town. Its depth varies from one 
to two hundred feet, and its breadth from four to ten rods. The 
bottom, and in many places the sides, are overgrown with tim- 
ber, and the stream wanders alternately from right to left, afford- 
ing wherever it washes the base, a cliff, nearly vertical precipices, 
and of imposing grandeur. As the visitor follows the sinuous 
channel which the stream, through a long lapse of ages has quietly 
wrought deep into the bowels of the earth, the scenery constantly 
changes, affording an endless succession of beauties. W T ere it 
not for the gentle murmur of the brook, and the occasional trick- 

*This was the black oxyde of manganese, common in this section in, 
swamps — F. B. H. 



Lyme. 199 

ling of the tiny stream down the mossy precipice to break the 
stillness of the scene, the beautiful stanza of Beattie, would be 
admirably appropriate: 

" Thy shades, thy silence, now be mine, 

Thy charms my only theme, 

My haunt the hollow cliff, whose pine 

Waves o'er the gloomy stream, 

Whence the scared owl, with pinions gray, 

Breaks from the rustling boughs, 

And down the lone vale sails away, 

To more profound repose." 

The Rural Cemetery Association of the village of Lorraine, 
■was formed Jan. 8, 1852, by John Boyden, Aaron Brown, John 
Bentley, Eben Brown, Knapp Macumber, Joseph Grimshaw, 
Allen Pitkin, Lorenzo Reed, John Hancock, Moses Brown, Elihu 
Gillet, Augustus L. Baker, Sardis Abbey, Peter Hanson, Leonard 
A. Parker, Joel Buel, Luther Lanfear, Parley Brown. The 
association is managed by nine trustees. 

Religious Societies. — The Baptist Church of Lorraine was 
formed in 1806, of thirteen members, under the Rev. Amos 
Lamson, who was ordained Oct. 7. 1806, and was succeeded in 
1815, by Solomon Johnson. In 1819 Benjamin W. Capron was 
employed, and in May 1824, Parley Brown was ordained, and 
labored until 1830, when he was succeeded by John F. Bishop, 
who labored one year. Charles B. Taylor was next employed 
three years. In 1S38, Henry Ward commenced preaching here, 
was ordained Feb. 1837, and remained three years. In 1840 
Elisha Robbins was employed, and in one year after, Luther 
Humphrey, who in July, 1842 was ordained, and continued three 
years. In 1845, O. L.Crittenden commenced and labored one year. 
In 1850, J. F. Bishop, in 1852, Philander Persons, the present 
pastor, was employed- 

In 1830, a church edifice was built, at a cost of $1,200. The 
society had been formed Dec. 23, 1829, with Aaron Brown, Jr., 
John Fassett, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr., and James GifFord, Jr., 
trustees. A small Baptist Church, in the south part of the town, 
has since been united with the church in Mannsville. 

The First Congregational Society in Lorraine was formed 
Dec. 3, 1829, with Silas Lyman, Win. Carruth, and Alfred Webb, 
trustees. A small church was erected in 1830, which has since 
been sold to the Methodists. 

Lyme. 

By an act of March 6, 1818, the town of Lyme w 7 as erected 
from Brownville, embracing the present towns of Lyme and Cape 
Vincent, adjacent islands, and so much of Clayton, as lies west of 
Penet's Square. The first town meeting was directed to be held 



200 Lyme. 

at the house of Luther Britton. The name was selected by Eber 
Kelsey, the pioneer of Cape Vincent, originally from Lyme, Ct. 

At the first town meeting, March 3, I8l8, the following town 
officers were elected. Richard M. Esselstyn, supervisor; John 
Dayan, clerk; John B. Esselstyn, Luther Britton, and Benj. Estis, 
assessors; R. M. Esselstyn, James M. Craw, and Benj. T. Bliss, 
commissioners schools; J. B. Esselstyn, L. Britton, overseers of 
the poor; John M. Tremper, Eber Kelsey. and Thadeus Smith, 
fence viewers and pound masters; Elnathan Judd, John Dayan, 
and Joseph Rider, commissioners highway s ; Alex'r Gage, Daniel 
Robbins, constables. 

Supervisors.— 1818-22, Richard M. Esselstyn; 1823, John B. 
Esselstyn; 1824, Willard Ainsworth; at a special meeting in 
Sept., J. B. Esselstyn; 1825-32, Willard Ainsworth; 1833, Otis 
P. Starkeyj 1834-35, Jere Carrier; 1836, Minot Ingalls; 1837, 
Isaac Wells; 1838, Philip P. Gaige; 1S39, Roswell T. Lee; 
1840, P. P. Gaige; 1841, Timothy Dewey; 1842, Wm. Carlisle; 
1843, Alexander Copely; 1844, W T m. 0. Howard; 1845, Theo- 
philus Peugnet; 1846-47, Isaac Wells; 1848, A. Copley; 1849, 
P. P. Gaige; 1850, Henry Cline; 1851, Ezra B. Easterly; 1852, 
David Ryder; 1853, Wm. Carlisle. 

In 1822, a bounty of $15 was offered for wolves, and $10 for 
their whelps. From 1824 to 1849 inclusive, the town has voted 
a school tax of double the sum received of the state, except 
1830, 31, when it was equal. A poor tax of $100 was voted in 
1818, 20, 21, 23, 33, 34; of $150 in 1819; of $200 in 1S25; 
of $300 in 1848; of $350, at a special meeting Oct. 11, 1847; 
total poor tax $1,600. A tax for roads and bridges of from $100 
to $300 has been often voted, amounting in the 11 years, in 
which taxes were laid for this purpose, to $2,400. 

The first settlement in Lyme, was commenced by Jonas Smith, 
and Henry A. Delamater, agents of Le Ray, from Ulster Co., 
with several men, among whom were Richard M. Esselstyn, 
T. Wheeler, Peter Pratt, James, David and Timothy Soper, and 
a few others, who in the spring of 1801, came in a boat by way of 
Oswego, with a few goods, entered Chaumont Bay,* and, by di- 
rection of Le Ray, ascended Chaumont River two and a half 
miles, and on the north bank commenced a settlement, built a 
double log house for a store and dwelling, and a frame building. 
There is said to have been an Indian trail and portage from the 
head of boat navigation, a short distance above this, to French 
Creek (about six miles), which was easily traced, when the 

* On old maps called Niahouro, Niaoenre, Niaoure, Nivernois, <$-c, and is 
sometimes on old maps named Hungry Bay. Both terms were used to designate 
all within Point Peninsula and Stony Point. It was probably named in honor 
of the Duke de Nivernois, a French nobleman. 



Lyme. 201 

country was first settled. The colony returned to winter, and the 
next spring came on to continue improvements, but rinding their 
location inconvenient, and especially liable to sickness, from the 
malarious emanations of the stagnant stream, they were compelled 
to abandon it. Early in 1803, they established themselves at the 
present village of Chaumont, which the same season was surveyed 
into a town plat. Smith and Delamater built in 1803 a saw mill, 
on the site of A. Copley's mill, and Samuel Britton opened a 
tavern in a log house, and a ware house was erected. Several 
families now for the first time located for permanent settlement, 
mostly from Ulster County, among whom were several mechanics, 
and young men without families, and deserters from Kingston. 
The settlement for a year or two prospered, but in 1806, Smith 
and Delamater failed in business, the settlers were greatly reduced 
by lake fevers, several died, and the growth of the place was 
checked. In 1S05 a small vessel had been begun by — Jacobs, of 
New York, who died before it was finished. The first death had 
been that of T. Soper, who was drowned in 1802. A school 
had first been begun by Nancy Smith, in the summer of 1805, 
south of the bay, in the house of Jonas Smith. 

In 1802, Delamater cleared the first land on Point Salubrious, 
on a farm now owned by Harry Horton, who settled here in 
1810. The first settler on the point was James Horton from 
Colchester, Delaware County, in 1806, and its delightful and 
healthy situation, with the importance of the fisheries on its 
shores, soon led it to be occupied. The sickness resulting at 
an early period from the noxious miasmas of Chaumont River, 
did not extend to this place, which suggested its present name, 
first applied by Mr. Le Ray. 

In 1805, Daniel and John Tremper, from Ulster County, 
settled on Point Salubrious, and Henry Thomas had located at 
the village of Chaumont with a store of goods. David and 
Joseph Rider, Silas Taft, Stephen Fisher, and others, were 
early settlers on Point Salubrious. 

From the extreme badness of the roads, the settlers of Chau- 
mont were obliged to depend upon a water communication with 
other places. Milling was for some years procured at Sackets 
Harbor, and the difficulty of passing Pillar Point in rough 
weather was so great, that small boats were sometimes delayed 
a week. A case of this kind occurred in 1807, when a small 
party in an open boat got thus blockaded, which occasioned 
much distress. 

The first Fourth of July celebration in the county, is said to 
have come off at Chaumont in 1802, at which from one to two 
hundred mustered. The proceedings have not been recorded, 
further than that there was no lack of food or drink, and proba- 

14 



202 Lyme. 

bly there was no less intemperance and disorder than has since 
disgraced similar occasions. The exercises were probably not 
dissimilar from the following that occurred in Lewis County at 
about the same period, as described by one present. " The dawn 
was ushered in by a discharge of powder from a hole drilled in 
the rock, and the firing of muskets at the scattered huts of the 
settlers, and the inhabitants, one by one, at an early hour as- 
sembled at the appointed place to honor the day by a celebration. 
Here in a shanty had been set a table of rough boards, on which 
was placed a number of glasses, a cake of maple sugar, a paii 
of water, and a jug of rum; and a fife and snare drum had been 
provided for the double purpose of awakening patriotism by 
recalling the memories of the olden time, and of drowning the 
discordant noises that the ardent stimulus might occasion. As 
most of the old men had been soldiers in the revolution, they 
rehearsed by turn their stories of the war, and fought over the 
battles of their youth; the middle aged and young joined in 
wrestling and other athletic games, and towards nightfall the 
company dispersed for their homes. We are not informed how 
many could the next day give a clear account of how they 
arrived there." 

At the occurrence of the war there were less than a dozen 
families in the settlement; Luther Britton was keeping an inn 
north of the bay, but with the exception of these few the coun- 
try north and west, to near the St. Lawrence, with but few ex- 
ceptions, was an unbroken wilderness. In June, 1812, with the 
advice of General Brown, the inhabitants begun to build a block 
house, on the north shore of the bay, in front of the stone house 
of F. Coffeen, which had been commenced in 1806, but was 
unfinished. During the summer the place was visited by the 
British, and their fort was demolished by the inhabitants, un- 
der an assurance that in this case their property should be re- 
spected. An iron cannon had been found on the isthmus of 
Point Peninsula, which Jonas Smith had purchased for two gal- 
lons of rum. Mr. Camp, of Sackets Harbor, subsequently pur- 
chased it for $8, and finally succeeded in getting it, after one 
or two attempts. It was afterwards taken to Ogdensburgh, and 
finally captured by the British. 

In 1818, Musgrove Evans, who had for several years been 
engaged in surveying for Le Ray, came on as an agent, and 
with him settled quite a number of Quaker families from Phila- 
delphia, who gave a new impulse to the place, but finding it 
sickly, and it not meeting their expectations, they mostly emi- 
grated. In 1823, Evans removed to Michigan, and founded the 
town of Tecumseh. As the country gradually became cleared, 
the sicknesss ceased, and since 1828 (which was remarkable 



Lyme. 203 

for malignant fevers), the district has enjoyed exemption from 
these evils. In 1803, a state road was laid out from Brownville 
to Putnam's Ferry, through the town, and on the 31st of March, 
1815, an act was passed authorizing James Le Ray de Chau- 
mont to build a turnpike from Cape Vincent to Perch river, at 
or near where the state road crossed the same, in the town of 
Brownville. The road was to be surveyed and laid out under 
the direction of Elisha Camp, Musgrove Evans, and Robert Mc- 
Dowell, or any two of them, and nothing in the act was to be 
construed so as to oblige Mr. Le Ray to build a bridge over 
Chaumont river. 

By an act of April 12, IS 16, Mr. Le Ray was authorized to 
extend the road to the village of Brownville, the same commis- 
sioners being appointed as before. A turnpike was accordingly 
built, the crossing at Chaumont being by a ferry, until 1823, 
when Vincent Le Ray, and associates, procured an act (March 
12th), authorizing the erection of a toll bridge, which was to 
be at least sixteen feet wide; built in a substantial and 
workmanlike manner, and provided with a draw, to allow the 
passage of vessels. The proprietors were not to prevent the 
crossing of the stream on the ice in winter, and were to keep 
a free and open passage to the river, within five rods from the 
bridge, and at least one rod wide. The bridge was to be com- 
pleted before December, 1824, and if damaged by floods, or 
otherwise, it was to be rebuilt by the proprietors. The act au- 
thorizing the bridge having expired, the period was extended 
twenty years, by an act passed May 6, 1835. This work having 
reverted to the state, by reason of the parties in the two acts last 
cited, not having complied with their provisions, an act was 
passed April 11, 1849, authorizing the commissioners of high- 
ways of the town of Lyme, to borrow on the ciedit of the town, 
a sum of money not exceeding $5000, for the purpose of rebuild- 
ing the bridge, which had become impassable. The supervisors 
were directed to tax the town of Lyme, then including Cape 
Vincent, for the means to repay this loan, in five annual instal- 
ments. The comptroller was authorized to loan a sum not ex- 
ceeding $6000, for this purpose, out of the capital of the com- 
mon school fund, upon application of the supervisor and com- 
missioners of highways of the town, and the commissioners of 
the land office were directed to release whatever interest the state 
might have in consequence of the reversion. 

With the means thus acquired, an elegant and permanent 
stone bridge has been erected, being mostly a solid pier, with a 
draw to allow the passage of vessels. The turnpike was kept 
up until an act was procured, April 21, 1831, authorizing Mr. 
Le Ray to surrender it to the public, and directing it to be laid 
out into road districts. 



204 Lyme. 

Chaumont Village, in July, 1853, contained fifty dwellings, 
five stores, several shops and warehouses, four saw mills (two 
driven by steam), a grist mill, rail road depot, and two school 
houses, Prsebyterian church, &c. It is quite scattered, the for- 
mer business portion near the north side, at the landing, having 
decreased, while that near the depot has grown since the com- 
pletion of the rail road. 

The village of Three Mile Bay, situated on the old turnpike, 
three miles west from Chaumont, began to increase about 1836, 
and at present contains about seventy dwellings, five stores, two 
taverns, three warehouses, and wharves, two churches, and the 
usual variety of mechanics. It is situated about a mile south of 
the depot of this name, on the W. and Ii. Railroad, and since the 
completion of this road, has diminished rather than increased in 
business. The village extends about half a mile along the turn- 
pike, west of Three Mile Creek, a tributary of Chaumont Bay. 

Three Mile Bay has been a station of some importance for 
ship building. Since 1835, the following vessels, all schooners, 
unless otherwise designated, have been launched at the yard of 
Asa Wilcox, whose tonnage, in the aggregate, amounted to 
6,410 1| tons. They mostly varied from 112 to 395 tons, the 
latter being nearly the capacity of the locks on the Welland 
Canal: 

1835, Florida, Elon Bronson. 

1836, Pennsylvania, Kentucky. 

1837, Missouri. 1838, Patriot. 

1841, Asa Wilcox, Havanna. 

1842, D. D. Calvin, Rocky Mountains. 

1843, Cambridge, Empire (brig), Neptune. 

1844, Cuba, Oregon, Ontario (brig). 

1845, Milan, Hampton (brig). 

1846, Clifton (propeller), Champion, Iroquois (brig), Rio 
Grande. 

1847, Palmetto, Seminole, Portland, Acadia, H. R. Seymour 
(brig). 

1848, Saxton, Ocean (brigs). 1849, D. J. Schuyler. 
1852, Melrose. 1853, Hungarian (three-master). 

Besides these, several club boats for regettas have been built, 
from thirty-two to fifty feet long, some of which have repeatedly 
won prizes. The Star, Wave and Banner, are names of three of 
these prize boats. In 1836, Mr. Wilcox built the Congress, 140 
tons, on Pillar Point. 

In 1832, S. Howard built the New York, 80 tons, on Point 
Peninsula. In 1834, G. C. Rand, built at the same place the 
Wm. Buckley, 112 tons; in 1836, the Bancroft, 112 tons, and 
in 1837, the G. C. Rand, of 112 tons. In 1843, Schuyler & 



Lyme. 205 

Powers built at Three Mile Bay, the Col. Potvers, 80 tons, and 
Wm. Combs, the Bogart, 80 tons. In 1S44-45, E. Cline, at the 
same place, The Rush, 50 tons, and Peter Estes, the Breeze, 100 
tons. 

The following vessels have been built at Chaumont: 1832, by 
Wm. Clark, the Stephen Girard, 60 tons; by Robert Masters, 
in 1835, the Mleghan, 100 tons; by S. & A. Davis, in 1839, 
the R. C. Smead, lb tons; and by Copeley & Main, the follow- 
ing: In 1847, the Rip Van Winkle, 235 tons; in 184S, the Ox- 
ford, 244 tons, Palmyra, 180 tons; in 1851, the Ji.L. Hazleton, 
230 tons. 

Near Chaumont Bay, are important stone quarries, where in 
1825-26, in 1837-40, and in 1851-53, vast quantities have been 
taken to Oswego, for canal locks and piers, and to that and other 
places for building. The quarries occur in the strata correspond- 
ing with the Isle la Motte marble of geologists, and the stone is 
broken by driving wedges into holes drilled in lines along the 
surface about six inches apart. But little powder is used, and 
this principally in breaking up the superficial mass to get to the 
solid, even-bedded layers, which alone are used. These blocks 
are usually dressed upon the ground, to the desired form, and 
loaded upon vessels at wharves, constructed for the purpose, ad- 
jacent to the quarries. These operations employ the labor of 
from one to two hundred men, of whom those employed in break- 
ing the blocks from the quarry are paid by the day, and those in 
cutting, by the foot. The stone is sold at 25 cents per cubic 
yard in the quarry. 

The fisheries of Chaumont Bay, have afforded, from an early 
period, a leading pursuit for many persons living in the vicinity, 
and have been productive of much benefit to the locality and the 
public generally. The earliest enactment relating to this branch 
of industry commences with the century. It having been repre- 
sented that people from Canada, and other places, were doing 
injustice to the fisheries at the east end of Lake Ontario, by ob- 
structing the rivers and streams by seines, a law was passed 
March 28th, 1800, prohibiting the placing of obstructions to 
the passage of fish, under a penalty of $25. This was probably 
from representations of citizens in Ellisburgh as this was then 
without inhabitants. 

In 1808, fishing with scoop nets, called here scaff nets begun, 
and has been more or less constantly practiced since. This net 
is about 12 feet square, stretched by two long bows crossing 
each other, and let down horizontally into the water, being 
balanced on a long poll poised on a post on the banks. When 
fish pass over it, the net is suddenly raised and swung round on 
the bank. Sometimes 300 fish or more are thus caught in a 



206 Lyme. 

night. Semes were soon after introduced, the first one being 
brought from the Hudson by Daniel Tremper. These seines are 
from 10 to 100 rods long, from 20 to 100 feet broad, wider in 
the middle, and narrower at the ends, where they are attached 
to rods called jack stakes. To the cords along one side are 
attached floats, and to the other leaden sinkers, and to each 
staff is fixed a long rope. When used, the seine is taken out in 
a boat one rope being left on shore, and when a few rods out it 
is allowed to run off in a wide circuit, until it is all off, when 
the other line is taken ashore, and both ends are drawn in by 
windlasses erected for the purpose, and turned by hand, or more 
recently sometimes by horse power. The meshes of the net 
which are from 1 to 1| inches square, allow the smaller fish to 
escape, while the larger ones are scooped out when the seine is 
drawn into shallow water. From 1 to 3 hours are occupied in 
drawing the seine, and the products of a haul vary from to 75 
barrels, the average being 6 or 7. These seine fisheries are 
mostly around Point Salubrious, but other places inside of the 
bay are found eligible to a less extent. They are considered the 
property of those who own the adjacent lands, and the seines 
are owned, and labor done, by the resident farmers, assisted by 
laborers who come in from adjacent towns for the purpose. The 
principal fish caught for market are lake herring, locally known 
as ciscoes and white fish, and the season for taking them usually 
begins about the first of November, and continues three or four 
weeks. This is the spawning season for these fish, and the shores 
are then lined with immense quantities of their ova. Seines are 
drawn by preference in the evening, or night. No positive data 
can be obtained showing the average or aggregate quantity 
taken, but the opinion of those most acquainted with the busi- 
ness is, that since 1816 about 10,000 barrels of herring and 
white fish have been caught annually. Seasons vary in the 
abundance of fish; if is observed that the best yields occur in 
high water. Of late years, the yield is less then formerly, which 
is attributed to the use of gill nets, and the mixture of saw 
dust and other matters in the water. Gill nets have been intro- 
duced since 1845, are from five to eight feet (about fifty meshes) 
wide, from ten to fifteen rods long, uniform in width, and fur- 
nished with staves at the ends. These are provided with sinkers 
on the lower and floats on the upper side, and connected together 
form lines several hundred rods long. When in use they lay 
near the bottom, and their places are indicated by buoys. Once 
daily they are drawn up, and the fish removed, which sometimes 
amount to a barrel in ten rods. As the fish become entangled by 
their gills, respiration ceases, and they are almost invariably 
found drowned, for which reason they are justly considered infe- 



Lyme. 207 

rior for food, and more liable to spoil when put up for sale. 
These nets are generally set in November. 

A small business is done early in spring, in fishing for pike in 
seines, gill nets, and by spearing, and the shores and coves of 
Chaumont Bay have long been the favorite resort for the disciples 
of Izaak Walton, who at most seasons find an ample and inviting 
field for the use of the trolling line and the speai ; a romantic 
cruise by torch light, and inducements to lounge away the lazy 
hours of day light, with reasonable hopes of a nibble. Pike, 
pickerel, muskeiunge, perch, bass and sunfish, are caught readily 
by the hook, and the former at all seasons. The seines used 
here, are generally made on the spot, of linen or cotton twine, 
and cost from $100 to $300. 

In 1818, April 15, a law was passed requiring all fish barreled 
for sale in the county to be inspected and branded; and the size 
of barrels and quantity of salt to be used were prescribed. In 
1823, April 23, another law relating to this subject w 7 as passed; 
March 8, 1S30, an additional inspector was appointed, and April 
15, 1835, the inspection offish was discontinued. Calvin Lin- 
coln was appointed inspector June 11, 1817; M. Evans, March 
19, IS 18; Benjamin T. Bliss, on Point Salubrious afterwards. 
The early laws were disregarded, but the latter strictly enforced; 
yet the restriction was always considered odious by the fishermen, 
who sought many ways of evasion and finally procured their re- 
moval. 

Religious Societies. — The first church in town was formed on 
Point Salubrious, by Elder Joseph Maltby, of the Baptist order, 
September 25, 1816. Delegates from two churches in Brown- 
ville, and Rutland; and one from Rodman, Le Ray, Lorraine, 
Henderson, Watertown, were present and twenty-six persons 
united. The Rev. Messrs. Thomas Morgan, A. Lawton, John 
J. Whitman, R. T. Smith, L. Rice, and B. C. Crandall, have 
been successively employed. The First Baptist Church and Soci- 
ety was formed March 6, 1839, with Nathaniel Wells, Richard 
Guile, Charles Wilcox, Henry Powers, Epenetus Cline, Isaac 
Wells, and Roswell Herrick, trustees. This Society built the 
following year, at Three Mile Bay, a church at a cost of $1800. 

A Free Communion Baptist Church was formed at Three Mile 
Bay about 1827, by Elder Amasa Dodge, but the records could 
not be found. 

On the 6th of July, 1841, ten members, being the greater por- 
tion, formed a Free Will Baptist Church under Elder Amasa 
Dodge, since whom Elders Overocker, McKoon, Padding, Hart, 
Griffith, and Abbey, have been more or less constantly employed. 
A society was formed December IS, 1843, with Charles Leonard, 
Rufus H. Bartlelt, Henry Leonard, William Northryp, and Charles 



208 Orleans. 

Caswell, trustees. A church was built in 1844, costing about 
$1,000. Present number twenty-six. 

The Peninsula Baptist Church was formed about 1834, and 
has never reported but twice to the association; it numbered 
about eighteen. 

The First Universalist Society of Chaumont was formed Sep- 
tember 8, 1850, with David Bowman, Elijah Graves, and Andrew 
Inman, trustees. 

A Presbyterian Church was organized at Chaumont, Aug. 31, 
1831, by the Rev. John Sessions and the Rev. G. S.Boardman, act- 
ing as a committee from the Presbytery of Watertown. It consisted 
of 18 members, 4 males and 14 females. Meetings for reading 
sermons, conference and prayer, were maintained, under the di- 
rection of Solon Massey, one of the elders, but they had no 
stated preaching until the summer of 1839, when for a few months 
Rev. Samuel W. Leonard was employed for alternate sabbaths. 
In the summer of 1841, Rev. Win. Chittenden was employed for 
a few months in the same manner. The present pastor, the Rev. 
J. A. Canfield, commenced his labors on the first sabbath in 
September, 1842, preaching on alternate sabbaths, till the fall 
of 1847; since that period his whole time has been devoted 
to this church. A society was formed March 20, 1844, with 
Philip Beasom, Ozias Bauder, and Jeremiah Bennet, trustees, 
who erected for $1500 their present house of worship, which 
was dedicated on the 18th of September, 1845, and their present 
and only pastor was ordained and installed at the same time. 
There is connected with the society a flourishing sabbath school, 
of about 140 scholars, and a library of 410 volumes. 

A Methodist class was formed at Chaumont, Dec. 13, 1839, of 
19 members. Meetings are heid at a school house. 

Orleans. 

This town was erected from Brownville, April 3, 1821, em- 
bracing Penet's Square, and all north of this and west of a 
continuation of the line between lots No. 6 and 7 of Penet's 
Square to the 'St. Lawrence. The first town meeting was directed 
to be held at the house of Hervey Boutwell. Much difficulty and 
strife had existed for several years, with regard to the location 
of the town meetings in Brownville, that led to the erection of 
Orleans, which name was suggested by the celebrity which New 
Orleans had acquired at the close of the war. Alexandria and 
Philadelphia were formed by the same act. 

Supervisors.— 1822-23, Amos Reed; 1824-26, Wra. H. Angel; 
1827, Woodbridge C. George; 1828, Jesse S. Woodward (four 
years could not be procured). 1833, Chesterfield Persons, at a 
special meeting; ]S34, Wm. Martin; 1835, Peter Dillenback; 



Orleans. 209 

1836, C. Persons; 1837, Daniel C. Rouse; 1838-39, John B. 
Collins; 1840, C. Persons; 1841, Peter P. Folts; 1842, James 
Green; 1843, Edmund M. Eldridge; 1844, Abram J. Smith; 
1845, Loren Bushnell; 1846, A. J. Smith; 1847, D. C. Rouse; 
1848-9, John N. Rottiers; 1850-53, Hiram Dewey. 

By an act of Feb. 6, 1840, all that part of Clayton, north of Or- 
leans, and east of the north and south division line, between Clayton 
and Orleans, extended from the north-west corner of Orleans to 
the St. Lawrence, was attached to the latter town, together with 
part of Wells Island, and all the smaller islands, which would 
be embraced by a line, running from the termination of the afore- 
said division line, between Clayton and Orleans; thence through 
Eel Bay around the head of Wells Island to the Canada line. 
All that part of Alexandria, west of a line running N. 42° W., 
from the corner of Orleans, was also annexed to the latter town. 
This last was restored to Alexandria, April 12, J842. 

Improvements commenced in this town about 1806, by persons 
who came on, without acquiring title, and took up lands, there 
being no resident agent, and a partial and imperfect history of 
the title having gained currency, the belief became general, that 
there was no legal owner of the tract, which, for several years 
after the war, led great numbers, chiefly of the poorer classes, to 
come and select land and make locations. In this they were 
governed by nothing but their own choice, selecting some spring 
or stream of water for the vicinity of their dwellings, and ap- 
propriating such lands to their own use, as they might choose to 
claim. These squatters had adopted a kind of regulation among 
themselves, in relation to lands, were accustomed to make "pos- 
session lines," by lopping down bushes, and bought and sold 
" claims," giving quit claim deeds for the same. Few permanent 
buildings or improvements were made, the settlers mostly living 
in log huts, and engaged in getting out oak staves and square 
timber, and in making potash or in cultivating the soil in the 
most slovenly and careless manner. As a natural consequence, 
this unprincipeled course invited thither crowds of adventurers 
from various quarters, many from the Mohawk Country; rough, 
hardy, and enterprising, with nothing to lose and every thing to 
gain, accustomed to coarse fare and rude accommodations, yet in 
many respects just the class to subdue a wilderness. Schools 
were established, a few years after settlement, and religious 
societies were organized. 

An account of the legal titles of this tract has been given, but 
there were sundry proceedings under false constructions and 
erroneous statements that deserve mention. Penet's Indian claim 
was recognized in the treaty of September 22, 1788, and on the 
19th of November, 1789, a patent was issued to his attorney, 



210 Orleans. 

John Duncan, of Schenectady, and it was subsequently conveyed 
repeatedly, as stated elsewhere. In 1807, John Wilkes, one of 
the proprietors, visited the tract, and is believed to have been the 
first of the owners who traversed it. Being unaccustomed to the 
fatigue of traveling in the forest, he returned home disgusted 
with it, and for several years there was no legalized agent in the 
county. In 1817 (Oct. 17), the following settlers took contracts 
on lots numbers 66, 75, 86, 87, and 95, near Stone Mills, in 
which vicinity A. M. Prevost held lands, and had appointed 
Elisha Camp, of Sackets Harbor, as his agent. The contracts 
run for seven years, and the lands were rated at $5 per acre. 
Asa Hall, Richard Taylor, Frederick Avery, Benjamin and John 
Taylor, Wm. Collins, Samuel Linnel, Solomon Stovvell, Lester 
White, Roderick C. Fraser, Wm. Collins, Jr., Leonard and Blake 
Baldwin, Isaac Mitchel, John B. Collins, John Smith, Ebenezer 
Eddy, Shepherd Lee, Thomas Lee, Thomas Lee, Jr., Ebenezer 
Scoville, Wm. Guile, Wm. Larrabe, Warren Hall, Henry Arnold, 
Ambrose Adams and John Page. 

In IS 18, there prevailed in many sections of the state, especially 
on the Holland Purchase, a clamor against those who held large 
tracts of land, and the records of towns in adjoining counties, 
show a disposition to impose heavy taxes upon non resident 
lands for local or private purposes. The Holland Company 
through fear of these intrigues, was induced to offer their lands 
to the state, as well as to sell them at low prices, and on long 
credits. Doubts had arisen of the soundness of the title derived 
from Penet, and January 16, 1821, Hippolyte Penet, brother of 
Peter Penet, of Andes, Delaware County, N. Y., sold to John S. 
Le Tonelier, of Schenpctady, for $ 1, by quit claim, the whole tract. 
A suit in chancery was instituted, and this deed set aside and 
made void by a decretal order of the chancellor, Samuel Jones, 
dated August 2, 1828* The uncertainty which these conflicting 
claims created in the minds of settlers, led them, about 1821, to 
petition the legislature for a direct grant of these lands from the 
state, which was referred to a select committee who reported the 
evidence of title, as shown by the records in the secretary's 
office and continued: " Your committee have also had exhibited 
what purports to be a copy of a deed executed on the 13th of 
July, 1790, by John Duncan, as the attorney of Peter Penet, to 
James Watson and James Greenleaf, witnessed by John Plant, 
but not proved or recorded, by which the tract of ten miles square 
is conveyed for the consideration of £ 1600. There are various 
claims, many of them conflicting, under the last mentioned deed, 
which it was not necessary for your committee to investigate. 
From the statement they have given, they think great doubt arises 

•Jefferson Deeds P, page 266 



Orleans. 211 

whether Penet ever legally conveyed the land in question. He 
was a native of France, and died in that country, and if he left 
heirs they must be aliens, although your committee can not learn 
lhat he was ever married. Under all these circumstances your 
committee are of opinion that there are sufficient reasons in this 
case to justiiy further inquiry to ascertain whether the land has 
not escheated to this state, and they recommend^ the following 
resolution: 

Resolved, if the honorable the senate concur herein, that the 
attorney-general be directed to investigate the title to the ten 
miles square of land granted to Peter Penet, and to institute pro- 
ceeedings to ascertain whether the same has escheated to this 
state." 

The attorney-general made the following report: 

" The attorney-general, to whom was referred the petition of 
a number of the inhabitants of that part of the town of Brownville, 
in the county of Jefferson, called Penet's Square, respectfully 
represents: 

That the petitioners state that the tract of land called Penet's 
Square is situate in great lot No. IV, of Macomb's Purchase, 
and contains 64,000 acres. That the title to these lands is ' to 
the public generally, and to the petitioners in particular, alto- 
gether uncertain,' and that there are on the said tract about 320 
families, or those ' who have been induced to take contracts of 
the pretended agents of pretended proprietors;' and that great 
improvements have been made on the same tract of land, and 
that the inhabitants o.f the same tract are very solicitous to as- 
certain the real title to the same. The petitioners therefore pray, 
1st, that some resolution or law may be passed that shall force 
those who lay claim to said tract of land, to put the evidence 
of their title on the records of the county of Jefferson, and 2d, 
that the surveyor-general, or the commissioners of the land of- 
fice, may be directed to report ' such information as they may 
possess, relative to the title of the said lands.' As to the first 
request of the petitioners, it is presumed that it is not expected 
of the attorney-general that he should give any opinion as to the 
propriety or expediency of granting it, but as to the second, the 
attorney-general has no means of ascertaining the true title to 
the land in question, any further than what may be derived from 
an examination of all records in the office of the secretary of 
state. The attorney-general finds in such examination that the 
said tract called Penet's Square is not, as the petitioners express, 
a part of Macomb's Purchase, but a separate tract, granted by 
the state to Peter Penet, by letters patent, dated the 19th of No- 
vember, 1789, and the whole of said tract, except 21,000, ap- 
pears to have been conveyed by the said Penet to one John Dun- 



212 Orleans. 

can, formerly of Schenectady. How the title to the above lands 
have been subsequently conveyed, or whether the same remains 
with the said Duncan, or his heirs, the attorney-general has no 
means of ascertaining. 

All of which is respectfulty submitted. 

Thomas C. Oakley, Attorney General." 

We have been unable to learn the result of these investiga- 
tions. 

A considerable portion of Penet's Square had become the pro- 
perty of John La Farge, who had been engaged in the firm of 
Russell & La Farge, as a merchant in Havre, and in the course 
of his business had purchased a portion of these lands. He sub- 
sequently resided several years in New Orleans, and about 1824 
came on to assert his tille to this tract, but the settlers had, from 
the previous confusion of claims, at first but little confidence 
in his title. In 1824, a meeting was held at Stone Mills, at 
which a committee was appointed to investigate the question, in 
order to decide what reliance might be placed in his claims. 
Mr. La Farge was of course anxious to secure public confidence, 
and cases soon occurred in which he was afforded the opportuni- 
ty of proving his title in the trial of a suit which commenced 
as an action of ejectment, against one of the settlers, in which 
he procured witnesses from Schenectady and elsewhere, at great 
expense. 

In 1826, two or three persons claiming title under Hyppolyte 
Penet, appeared at La Fargeville, called a meeting of citizens, 
and stated their claims, but with no further effect than to impair 
the confidence of some in the pretensions of others. These pro- 
ceedings ended by La Farge's directing his attorney to com- 
mence a prosecution for slandering his title. While the tract was 
a part of Brownville, but little attention had been paid to the 
taxes, and nearly the whole had been returned as non resident. 
An agreement was made May 12, 1827, between John La Farge 
and Vinal Luce, of Albany, and Philip Schuyler of Saratoga, 
in which, for $75,000, and further covenants on the part of the 
last two, La Farge agreed to sell all the real estate, contracts, 
leases and certificates mentioned in an annexed schedule, subject 
to all arrears of taxes due, or to become due, with all sales that 
had been made for such arrears of taxes, with four mortgages, 
&c* Under this agreement these parties came on, and com- 
menced acting accordingly, but legal measures ensued not neces- 
sary to be here detailed, and William Smith of Watertown was 
appointed a receiver, to take and hold moneys paid for lands, 
until the question of rightful ownership should be decided. The 

;* Jtfferaon deeds, Z. 606. 



Orleans. 213 

lands in June, 1830, came back to La Farge, who effected a 
settlement with Schuyler and Luce, and the lands being sold for 
taxes were conveyed to Mr. La Farge by a comptroller's deed. 
This set forever at rest the question of title, by superseding all 
that had gone before, and thenceforth settlers took contracts 
and made payments with confidence. Mr. La Farge adopted 
the system of never allowing contracts to expire, and by a course 
then called rigid by those who now warmly commend him for 
it, in a very few years settled up with the inhabitants, and con- 
veyed by deeds. The result has proved the truth of the princi- 
ple that over indulgence to settlers is but mistaken clemency, 
and that promptness in meeting payments is the only sure meth- 
od of escaping from the slavery of debt. Mr. La Farge, about 
lSlO, removed to New York, making Dr. John Binsse of Wa- 
tertown his agent,* and has since been extensively engaged in 
heavy financial operations. After the dethronement of Louis 
Phillippe, he was made the agent of that unfortunate prince for 
investing funds in American stocks. 

The first settlement at La Fargeville, was made without title 
by Dr. Reuben Andrus, of Vermont, who in 1819 erected a log 
mill on Cat Fish Creek in the present village. From this the 
place acquired the name of Log Mills, which it long retained. 
In 1820, a small store was opened and business gradually cen- 
tered at this point. On the occasion of a Fourth of July cele- 
bration in 1823, a resolution was passed, giving the place its 
present name of La Fargeville. In 1850 it contained, according 
to the census of Mr. Rottiers, 50 dwellings, 61 families, and 312 
inhabitants, and this number has not since increased. It contains 
a Catholic, a Baptist, and a Congregational church, an academy, 
and its proportion of inns, stores, and mechanic shops. La 
Fargeville is 7 miles from Depauville; 6 from Stone Mills; 4£- 
from Omar; 7 from Clayton; 9 from Plessis; 9 from Theresa; 12 
from Alexandria Bay; 14 from Evans' Mills; 18 from Water- 
town. Water lime was manufactured to a small extent here in 
1850, and an abundance of material adapted to the purpose 
exists in town. 

In 1838, the mansion and farm of Mr. La Farge, one mile 
south of La Fargeville, was purchased by Bishop Dubois, and a 
Catholic seminary, named St. Vincent De Paul, was opened 
under Rev. Francis Gooth and several assistants. It was de- 
signed to combine in this a theological seminary for the educa- 
tion of priests, and a classical boarding school, the more ad- 
vanced candidates for holy orders serving as teachers, during 
part of the time. Most of the boarders came from New York, 
a very few only being from the vicinity, but after a trial of two 

* Sept. 1, 1840, Jefferson deeds, IT. 3, p. 180. 



214 Orleans. 

and a half years, it was found that its location was too remote, 
and Bishop Hughes, who succeeded Dubois, removed it to the 
vicinity of New York, where St. John's College (Fordham), 
was founded soon after. The greatest number of students at La 
Fargeville was 15, and that of persons more or less employed in 
teaching, nearly as many. 

Stone Mills, P. 0. (formerly Collins Mills, P. 0.) is a hamlet 
of a dozen houses, inn, two stores, and a few shops. Penet 
Square began to be settled by squatters in this vicinity in 1806. 
The first settler was Roderick C. Frasier. In 1S07, Peter Pratt 
made the second location, and soon after Benajah and Merchant 
Carter, Samuel and David Ellis, Robert Bruner and others, some 
of whom during the war removed to the denser settlements. In 
1813, a young man was taken up in the neighborhood on the 
suspicion that he was a spy, and on his attempting to escape 
was shot and mortally wounded, when he confessed that he was 
a deserter from Sackets Harbor. About 1820 a small stone grist 
mill was built by J. B. Collins and P. Piatt, which suggested 
the name of the place. A plat of one acre was here conveyed 
by De Rham to the town, for the site of public buildings, upon 
which in 1838 a fine stone school house was erected, and the 
year previous a Union Church of stone. 

On Mullet Creek, one and a half miles from its mouth, is a 
small village, which was formerly named from the stream, after- 
wards Mudge's Mills, and since the establishment ot a post 
office in 1843, Omar, the latter name being taken, it is said, 
from the personage of Dr. Johnson's allegorical tale, in the 
English Reader. The first settlement in the vicinity was by 
Benjamin Tanner, about 1818, and in 1820 William and Treat 
Mudge erected a grist and saw mill. For many years the place 
contained little else, and in 1837 it had but 6 houses. The first 
store was opened by Timothy R. Stackhouse. It now contains a 
store, inn, grist mill and saw mills, a Methodist church, a few 
shops, and about 25 families. It is on the edge of the town, 
nearly two miles north of Penet's Square, and near the line of 
Alexandria. At Fish's Landing, at the mouth of the creek, is 
a wooding station, but a place of little or no trade. Omar is 7 
miles from Clayton, 7 from Plessis, 7 from Alexandria Bay, and 
5 from La Fargeville. 

Rock Island light, opposite the mouth of Mullet Creek, was 
erected as one of the three beacons authorized in the St. Law- 
rence, by the act of March 3, 1853,- the other two being Sunken 
Rock, near Alexandria Bay, and Cross-over Island, in Hammond. 

Religious Societies. — The Baptist Church at La Fargeville 
was formed at the house of Thomas Evans, September 9, 1821, 
of nine males and nine females by Elder Sardis Little, assisted 



Pamelia. 215 

by Elder Timothy Brewster, and Elder Emory Osgood, who were 
casually present. On the 12th, a council of advising brethren 
having taken into consideration the situation and facts of the 
case, received them as a gospel church, and gave them the hand 
of fellowship. The First Baptist Society was formed June 11, 
1836, with Francis Eppes, Abijah Fisher, Charles Sexton, Jo- 
tham Marshall, and Orlando W. Cushman, trustees. A church 
was built in La Fargeville, in 1837, at a cost of $'3,200. The 
first Union society of Orleans, was formed May 14, 1822, with 
Peter Rhems, Simeon Meacham and Samuel Warner, trustees. A 
church was erected by this society at a cost of $3000, in 1840, 
and dedicated in the fall. 

The First Presbyterian society in Orleans was formed April 29, 
1839, with John Mason, Abram J. Smith, Thomas E. Drake, 
Amasa Johnson, Robert T. Jerome, trustees. A church had been 
formed in February 1823, and December 30, 1848, was changed 
to Congregational. A church was built about 1840, valued in 
the census of 1850 at $2,000. 

A Union church was erected at Stone Mills in 1837, at a cost 
of about $1800, and is owned by the Lutheran, Baptist, Method- 
ist and Christian sects, in equal shares. A Methodist Episcopal 
church was formed at La Fargeville, September 14, 1833, with 
Wm. Hart, Anson Squires, Woodbridge C. George, S. P. Hall 
and Willard Tarble, trustees. It was organized September 14, 
1852. This denomination formed a society in Omar, January 22, 
1849, with S. P. Newton, J. C. Hardy, P. Newton, Wm. Hayes 
and H. M. Spalsbury, trustees. A Catholic church (St. Vincent 
de Paul) has been built several years at La Fargeville. An 
Evangelical Lutheran church exists in this town, which will be 
more fully noticed in our account of religious societies. 

Pamelia. 

This town derives its name from that of Mrs. Jacob Brown, 
whose maiden name was Pamelia Williams, a daughter of Cap- 
tain Jude Williams, of Williamstown, and sister of Judge Nathan 
Williams of Utica. The act of incorporation is dated April 12, 
1819, and the first town meeting was directed to be held at the 
school house, near Elias Wager. By an act of April 1, 1824, 
a small part of Penet's Square, south-east of Perch Lake, was 
annexed from Orleans, which gave the town its present limits. 
The act also directed the name of the town to be known, after 
the first of March next, as Leander; but this clause was repealed 
April 9, 1825, before the act had taken effect. This change is 
said to have been effected by a man, then in the legislature, who 
had a son by that name. 

The first officers elected were John Stewart, supervisor; Henry 



216 Pamelia. 

Gotham, clerk; Russel Weaver, Benjamin Still, Simeon Wood- 
ruff, assessors; S. Woodruff, B. Still, overseers of the poor; 
Alfred Comins, S.Woodruff, B. Still, commissioners of highways; 
Horace Mather, collector; Osmon Banister, Nehemiah Van Nest, 
Joseph Mayo, commissioners of common schools; Amos Eames, 
William Usher, R. Weaver, John N. Gunn, Baker Massey, Charles 
Brown, Inspectors of schools; Jacob J. Greene, Benjamin Pease, 
Horace Mather, constables. 

Supervisors.— 1820-26, John Stewart; 1827-28, Russel Wea- 
ver; 1829-30, Gustavus A. Foster; 1831-35, Bernard Bagley; 
1836, Chillingsworth Colwell; 1837-41, B. Bagley; 1842, Wil- 
liam Wilson; 1843-45, Henderson Howk; 1846-47, Josiah 
Bonney, Jr.; 184S-49, B. Bagley; 1850, Abram M. Harger; 
1851-52, Charles D. Wright; 1853, Josiah Bonney. . 

This town began to settle at about the same time with Le 
Ray and Brownville, being under the same ownership and 
agency. In 1799, two men by the name of Boshart, and Kitts, 
made a location three miles from Watertown, on the farm now 
owned by George Webb; but their families becoming discon- 
tented, they returned the same fall to Lewis County, where they 
afterwards settled. Pamelia Village, opposite the lower part 
of the village of Watertown, began to settle about 1804, upon 
the building of a bridge; and very soon after, a dam and mills 
were erected here. The place first received the name of Wil- 
liamstown, which was given it by Jacob Brown, who made 
strenuous efforts to secure the location of the public buildings of 
the county here, when he found they could not be procured at 
Brownville. This village is a place of but little business, except- 
ing its mills, distillery, &c, as, from its vicinity to Watertown, 
it is found hopeless to attract trade or business to this point. The 
same applies to the erection of churches. Its location is, how- 
ever, admirably adapted for building, and it is already beginning 
to attract the notice of those seeking eligible dwellings, and 
doing business in Watertown. Several new streets have been 
recently opened, and the place will doubtless share in the rapid 
growth which the Capital exhibits itself, and imparts to all 
around it. 

Pamelia Four Corners, on the military road, six miles from 
Watertown, and three from Evans' mills, is the centre of business 
for the country around, and is the seat of a post office. 

Juhelville, a suburb of Watertown, opposite Factory Village, 
was named from Madame Cornelia Juhel, the mother of Mrs. V. 
Le Ray. It began to assume importance after the erection of 
the upper dam, for the Hamilton Manufacturing Company in 1836. 
There are here at present two saw mills, a tannery, carriage 
factory, pump factory, &c, and a factory for making cotton yarn, 



Philadelphia. 217 

wicking, baiting, carpet warp and twine, which was erected by 
A. Anderson, in 1849. It has a population of about 300, mostly 
mechanics or operatives in the neighboring establishments. The 
bank of the river, below the village, is cavernous and affords 
several interesting grottoes. The caverns in this town, opposite 
Watertown Village and adjacent to the river, possess much in- 
terest to the geologist and will be fully described in a future 
chapter. 

An act of April, 1834, authorized a loan of $600 in Water- 
town, and $500 in Pamelia, for rebuilding bridges, to be repaid 
by a tax in two equal instalments, and to be expended by the 
road commissioners. On the 5th of May, in the same session, the 
amount and propriety of these loans, if not decided at the last 
town meeting, might be expressed by a special town meeting, 
called for the purpose. 

The Pamelia Farmer's Scientific Library, was formed April 1, 
1822, having for its first trustees John Steward, Russell Weaver, 
Joel Nims, Simeon Woodruff, Ansel Mills, Thomas Goodrich, and 
Win. Cole. 

Religious Societies. — The Union Church in Pamelia was 
formed^Nov. 16, 1847, with Reuben Lock, Jacob H. Zoller, and 
Peter M. Salisbury, trustees. A house of worship has been 
erected by this society, two miles from Pamelia Four Corners, on 
the road to Brownville. 

The First Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Pamelia, 
was formed Feb. 29, 1848, with James Jones, C. G. Harger, Orvis 
Goulding, Asa Barnes, Daniel Gould, Jacob Harwick, Abraham 
Ogsbury, and Joseph Countryman, trustees. 

Philadelphia. 

This town was erected from Le Ray, April 3, 1821, with its 
present limits; the first town meeting being held at the house of 
Harvey Hamblin. The name of Elizabethtown had been chosen 
for this, but there being one already in the state, the present one 
was selected by citizens, who had lived in or near the city of 
Philadelphia. Some proposed to name the town Benezet, after 
the benevolent Quaker of that name. Orleans and Alexandria 
were created by the same act. 

The first town officers were, Alden Bucklin, supervisor; A. 
Bucklin, Thos. Bones, Abial ShurtlilF, assessors; John Strickland, 
"Jr., clerk; Wm. Bones, collector; John Townsend, J. Strickland, 
Jr., poor masters; J. Townsend, Cadwallader Child, Abiel Shurt- 
liff, commissioners highways; David Mosher, J. Strickland, Jr. 
J. Bones, commissioners schools; Win. Bones, constable; James 
Bones, C. Child, J. R. Taylor, inspectors schools. There being 
but very few inhabitants with property qualifications sufficient 

15 



218 Philadelphia. 

for voting and holding office, an act was procured, March 29, 
1822, reducing these qualifications to the possession oi' a contract 
for lands, and property or improvement worth $150; the custom- 
ary oath of officers, concerning freehold, was to be omitted. 

Supervisors. — 1S22, Alden Bucklin; 1823-26, Harvey Ham- 
blin; 1827, John R. Taylor; 1829-31, Benjamin Jackman; 1832, 
Hiram Hinman; 1S33, Henry W. Marshall; 1S34-36, Jesse 
Smith; 1837, Miles Strickland; 1838, Wm. Skinner; 1839, M. 
Strickland; 1840, Geo. Walton; 1841, Jesse Smith; 1842, M. 
Strickland: 1843, John F.Latimore; 1844-46, Azel W.Danforth; 
1S47, Lyman Wilson; 1848-9, Smith Bockus; 1850, Geo. Fra- 
sier; 1S50-51, Wm. Skinner; 1852-53, Alden Adams. 

The circumstances of the first settlement of this town, are 
interesting from their peculiarity, and will be given more in 
detail, as they form the only instance in our local history, of an 
attempt to convey lands by leases, in perpetuity, and illustrate in 
a small way, the evils growing out of the system. 

In 1802, Jacob Brown, then residing at Brownville Village, 
as the agent of Mr. Le Ray, communicated with his former friends 
and neighbors, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on the Delaware 
River and near the locality of Penn's Manor, a description of the 
country, its soil, climate, and advantages. Early in the summer 
of 1803, Joseph Child, Sen., with Moses Moon, and his son James 
Moon, came from Bucks County, explored the territory, now 
embraced in Le Ray and Philadelphia, and the former made a 
definite selection of about twelve hundred acres, immediately 
south-west of where Le Raysville now is, at which place Benjamin 
Brown and family were then residing. The favorable report 
which these pioneers carried back, induced several of their neigh- 
bors to resolve upon trying their fortunes in the "new country," 
and led the way to the formation of a company, and the following 
associated purchase. 

The lots were to be sold in sixteen shares, according to the 
number affixed to each subscriber's name, at the rate of $3 per 
acre, payable in five installments, with six per cent interest, and 
ten per cent deducted tor ready pay. The lands were to be of as 
good quality as lots 629 to 632, in all 17t'0 acres, previously 
bought by Joseph Child, and Moses Comfort, and if they should 
not be found as good in the opinion of Jacob Brown, Jonas 
Smith, and Richard Coxe, an additional quantity was to be given. 
Le Ray agreed before the next December to make a wagon road 
from the Post Road (at Champion) through the said tract to the 
St. Lawrence. The parties purchasing were to divide the tract 
between themselves before the 25th of next April. On the 1st of May 
1804, a deed,* conveying lot No. 611, was executed to the persons 

* Oneida d2eds, Book G, p. 25, 



Philadelphia. 



219 



above named, in trust "for the promotion of religion and learning, 
thai is to say, for the purpose of erecting thereon and supporting 
a meeting house, for the society of the people called Quakers, 
and a school or schools for the education of children, in useful 
learning, to be under the care and direction of the said society, 
and of a monthly meeting of said people, when such meeting 
shall be there established, and for such other useful purposes, as 
the said meeting may direct." 

On the 16th of February, 1804, James D. Le Ray, then liv- 
ing in Burlington, N. J., and being personally acquainted with 
several of the parties, executed an agreement with Mordecai 
Taylor,* Robert Comfort,f Thomas and John Townsend,f Abra- 
ham Stockton,| Charles Ellis,t Cadwallader Child, § Moses 
Comfort,§ Israel Knight,f Benjamin Rowland,! John Jones, Ja- 
son Merrick,§ and David Evans, all but Merrick being Quakers, 
to sell sixteen lots in great tract No. IY, of 440 acres each, viz: 
559, 540, 542, 543, 574, 575, 576, 578, 579, G44, 643, 647, 
646, 674, 675, 677, 678, and " for the encouragement of reli- 
gion and learning," gave to the parties above named, lot No. 
611, of 440 acies, to support a meeting house and school. 

In pursuance of the above agreement, twenty-rive lots, or five 
ranges of five lots each, which lay together, in a rectangular 
tract, the central lot being at the present village of Philadelphia, 
the whole of which, with the water power of the place, being 
upon it. The situation 
of these lots .is shown 
in the annexed plan, in 
which G is lot 611, 
given, S, the sixteen 
lots sold, and R, the 
eight lots reserved. It 
will be seen that the 
lots sold were in the 
corners of the tract, and it was doubtless the intention of the 
proprietor to receive an advanced price on them, sufficient to 
cover the value of the central lot. 

When the bargain was completed, in May, 1S04, Mordecai 
Taylor and Cadwallader Child, || two of the purchasers, with 
Samuel Evans, came north, traveling from Albany on horse- 
back, crossing Black River near the present village of Felt's 
Mills, and Mr. Childs, by agreement with Le Ray, repaired to 
Brownville to consult with Jacob Brown in respect to the sur- 

*Of Montgomery county, Pa. tOf Philadelphia county, Pa. 

} Of Burlington, N. J. $ Of Bucks county, Pa. 

|[ Mr. Child was born in Plummsted, Pa., Augu?t 18, 1770; was employed 
in teaching seven years previous to 1S04; acted many years as a surveyor for 
Mr. Le Ray," and died in this town April 3, 185L. 



1 s 


s 


R 


S 


s 


s 


s 


R 


s 


s 


R 


R 


G 


R 


R 


s 


s 


R 


S 


s 


s 


s 


R 


s 


s 



220 Philadelphia. 

veys to be made for roads. With the requisite party to assist, he 
returned to Le Raysville, and from the hill north of that village, 
not far from where the stone Methodist Meeting House formerly 
stood, he followed a line of lots of Brodhead's survey, to the 
south corner of the centre lot, and down Black Creek to its 
junction with Indian River, then called the West Branch of the 
Oswegatchie. 

It was now in the month of June. One of the purchasers, 
only, was upon the tract, with four assistants, as chainmen, axe- 
men, and packman, among whom were Michael Coffeen and 
Solomon Parker. Their first encampment was near the present 
grist mill. The first line for a road passed south-west of Theresa 
Falls, striking the St. Lawrence some distance above the present 
village of Alexandria Bay, where their provisions being ex- 
hausted, they purchased from a Canada raft that was passing a 
sufficient supply. After examining the shore, they selected the 
site for the present village at the Bay, and on their return lo- 
cated w 7 hat has since been known as the Alexandria Road, 
crossing Indian River at the present lower bridge at Theresa 
Village. A road was continued to the Black River, at the Great 
Bend. The summer was mostly consumed in these surveys, and 
in the fall; with the aid of Thomas Ward and Samuel Child, Mr. 
C. Child began a clearing upon his lot (No. 644), and erected 
a cabin south of the small creek, and west of the Alexandria 
Road, the first spot cleared in town. Late in the same fall, John 
Petty began his improvements, on the opposite side of the road 
from where John T. Strickland now resides, having previously 
lived a year or two in Le Ray. The two Townsends, J. Mer- 
rick* and R. Comfort, came on the same year, or the next. Of 
the other trustees of the central lot, Knight, Taylor, M. Com- 
fort, and Rowland, came on, but did not take up their perma- 
nent residence here, and Jones, Ellis, Stockton and Evans never 
came. It was doubtless the intention of both the grantor and 
grantees, that the centre lot should be for the benefit of all who 
should at any time thereafter reside on any or all of the twenty- 
five lots. The sixteen lots subscribed were drawn by ballot, 
when each entered into an agreement by himself for the lots 
drawn. 

The settlers of the first year returned back to winter, and on 
the 2d of February, 1805, a meeting was htld, all but four be- 
ing present, who, by a written agreement, named Robert Com- 
fort, Cadwallader Child, Thomas and John Townsend, and Jason 
Merrick, as trustees of the lot in trust, a part of which they di- 
rected to be laid out in ten acre lots, and leased gratuitously for 
ten years, to any person who would settle and clear the same, 

* Mr. M. died in town August 3, 184C, aged 78. 

t 






Philadelphia. 221 

and build a log or framed house, eighteen feet square, within 
four years. 

Daniel Coffeen settled, about 1804, near and south of the four 
coiners, near Sterlingville, and in 1805, several of the purchas- 
ers came on, and Mr. C. Child spent the summer in surveys of 
roads and farms. During the summer he had cleared the land 
where the present residence of Alden Adams and the post office 
stand, and in the fall sold the improvement to Josiah Walton, 
who erected, on the site of the post office, a small frame barn, 
the first frame erected in town. The same spring Thomas Town- 
send came on, bringing with him Josiah Walton, Daniel Rob- 
erts, Thomas Coxe, and Thomas Gilbert, and during the summer 
erected a bridge over Indian River, about twenty-five rods below 
the present one, cleared land about the grist mill, extending up 
the river, and north of the Antwerp road, built himself a block 
house on the south side of the brick house erected by the late 
Edmund Tucker, and a log house for John Townsend, on the 
site of the Samuel Case tavern, now owned by James Kirkbride. 
T. Townsend and Gilbert returned to Pennsylvania to winter. 
John Townsend and Robert Comfort had removed with their 
families in the fall of 1805, arriving in September, and with J. 
Walton and Daniel Roberts, were the first families to remain 
through the winter at the Friend's Settlement. In the fall of 
1805, John Townsend sowed the first winter w T heat. Thomas 
Townsend removed his family in the spring of 1806, accompa- 
nied by Benjamin Gilbert, Stephen Roberts and family. Robert 
Comfort built near the bank of Indian River, below Dr. Carpen- 
ter's house, and kept the first house of entertainment. 

In 1807, a fever prevailed in the settlement. Two daughters 
of Robert Comfort and a son of Jason Merrick died, being the 
first buried at the present burying ground. 

John Strickland, Junior, came on in the fall of 1807, viewed 
the country, returned south, and moved his family upon the 
farm now occupied by John Townsend. In the spring of 1808, 
Joseph Bolton and family had joined the settlement, Robert Com- 
fort removing to his farm in 1807. In April, 1S09, Ezra Comley 
moved upon the farm now occupied by Seth Strickland, and soon 
after, the same year, John Strickland, Senior, arrived, purchased 
the mills and improvements of Thomas and John Townsend. 
John moving to his own farm, Thomas purchased, built and moved 
on the farm now owned by Wm. Allis. 

The first school kept at the settlement was in the chamber of 
the house of John Strickland, Senior (purchased of Thomas Town- 
send), Anna Comstock, teacher. The Society of Friends erected 
their first meeting house in 1810, yet standing and occupied as 
a dwelling house. For seventeen years it served the purpose of 
school and meeting; house. 



222 Philadelphia. 

As the given name of individuals, is, among ihe Society of 
Friends, piominently regarded, it may afford an interest to give 
those of the wives of the pioneer settlers of this place, the most 
of whom were of that denomination: The wife of Robert 
Comiort was Mary; of John Townsend, Assenath; of Thomas 
Townsend, Elizabeth; of Jason Merrick, Elizabeth; of John 
Strickland, Jr., Rachel; of Ezra Comley, Sarah; of Joseph Bolton, 
Jane; of Stephen Roberts, Jane; of John Strickland, sen., Mar- 
garet. 

A feat of female visiting in this town, that occurred in the 
summer of 1806, may be worthy of record, as illustrating the 
enterprise of the age, and by way of contrast with the present 
day. Mrs. Elizabeth and Assenath Townsend, and Mrs. Jane 
Roberts, on this occasion, their husbands being busy at their 
farms, made a visit on foot, to friends in the town of Le Ray, by 
way of the pine plains, a distance of eleven miles through a 
thick forest, and with scarcely a trace of a road, and that more 
traverser] by -wild beasts than human beings. A faithful dog 
was their vigilant escort in the lonely journey. In returning, they 
were conveyed in the wagon of Joseph Child, at whose house 
they had visited. 

Having briefly noticed a few events connected with the first 
settlement of this town, we will return to our account of the 
centre lot, to which allusion has been made. During fifteen 
years, about a quarter of the lot had been improved, under the 
short leases. In the summer of IS 15, the Le Ray .Monthly 
Meeting; of Friends was formed, and it early became the wish 
of the five trustees to make this meeting the assignee of their 
trust, but this could not be done without an act of incorporation, 
which they refused to apply for. On the lllh of April, IS 16, 
the monthly meeting appointed a committee of six, viz: Daniel 
Child, Richard Hallock, Joel Haworth, John Strickland, Jr., 
William Barber, and Joseph Child, Jr., to meet with and assist 
the trustees in the management of the lot, and they the same 
year reappointed four of the trustees, the filth (Merrick) not 
being a member of their society, but continuing to act. R. Com- 
fort and T. Townsend, quit claimed to C. Child, and J. Townsend, 
June 9th, 1S23,* their interest in the centre lot, and at various 
periods between October 1st, 1823, and 1S3S, the whole 440 
acres, had been leased out in about 40 lots, or parcels, at annual 
rents averaging less than $1 per acre forever. The society oc- 
casionally appointed committees to notice the trustees requests, 
and July 7th, 1825, named Edmund Tucker, Daniel Child, and 
J. Strickland, Jr., to procure quit claims from those named in 
the deed of Le Ray. They afterwards found that these could 

* Jefferson Deed*. 



Philadelphia. 223 

not all be procured. Taylor refused to quit claim, and Stockton 
and Evans had died, leaving minor heirs. Ellis, M. Comfort, 
Jones, Rowland, and the heirs of Knight, did quit claim* to the 
committee above named. J. Townsend, Merrick and Child, de- 
clined to quit claim until the others could be obtained. In 1828, 
the Quakers here became divided by the doctrines of Elias 
Hicks, Tucker and Strickland on one side, and D. Child with 
the orthodox. C. Child, J. Townsend, and J. Merrick, trustees, 
being also with the orthodox. In 1837, D. Child quit claimed 
to J. Townsend and C. Child, his right. The orthodox sect have 
a^one claimed and exercised the care of the centre lot. C. 
Child, J. Townsend, and J. Merrick, wishing to be relieved from 
the care of the trust, applied to the monthly meeting to have 
successors appointed, and March 9th, 1843, Samuel G. Slocum, 
of Le Ray, and Robert Townsend and Naylor Child, of Philadel- 
phia, were named as trustees, who, August 5th, 1S43, received 
a conveyance,! and executed a declaration of trust. N. Child 
in 1S44 made S. G. Slocum his attorney, but this was revoked 
May 1st, 1S45.J On the 9th of January, 1S45, the Le Ray 
Monthly Meeting had directed the trustees to quit claim to most 
of the occupants on the centre lot, for $1,250 under which direc- 
tion Slocum and Townsend, have subsequently quit claimed most 
of the leased lots, N. Child not concurring. The meeting 
adopted this course in consequence of an anti-rent movement be- 
ginning as early as 1835, and lesulting in combination on the 
part of the tenants to resist the payment of rents, claiming that 
after building and keeping up a meeting house, the balance was 
to go to support a school for the use of the tenants; that they 
should have a voice in its management, and that they were the 
beneficiaries of the trust, with the power of dictating to the 
trustees. 

The origin of the anti-rent movement at this place, may 
mainly be traced to the fact, that original leases had been sub- 
divided, subleased to several parlies, and again conveyed re- 
peatedly, and these transfers not being legally known to the 
trustees, the latter claimed the right, and in one or two instances 
attempted to distrain tor rent the property of one of the tenants, 
to pay the arrears due on the lot of which he occupied but a 
part. This, in the view of the tenants, led to the dangerous 
principle that a man's property was liable to be seized for his 
neighbor's debts, and was followed by a spirit of resistance in 
which nearly every tenant participated. Meetings were held, 
articles of union were drawn up, in which they mutually pledged 
themselves to sustain legal measures until a final settlement, and 

* Jefferson Deeds, A. 2, p. 121 . tJeffeison Deeds, X 3, p. 22> 

t Jefiersoa Deeds, b. 77, p. 492. 



224 Philadelphia. 

Jesse Smith, John F. Latimore, and Samuel Rogers, were ap- 
pointed a committee to represent their interests in the matter. 
There had been, moreover, an unwillingness on the part of the 
old trustees of the lot to submit an account of their expenditures, 
as they claimed that to them and them alone had been confided 
the care of the trust, and that they were amenable only to the 
meeting for its faithful execution. Several instances of appa- 
rent application of the rents to private purposes were produced, 
and specified in legal proceedings that ensued, and to such extent 
had these proceedings led, that the parties of the league pro- 
fessed their readiness to expend their fortunes in suits of law, 
rather than submit to the payment of rents. A few went farther, 
and threatened abuse and violence to the persons and property of 
Quakers, and their meeting house presented marks of depreda- 
tion and pollution committed in the night time. 

The society had in March, 1844, petitioned for a law author- 
izing the trustees to sell the centre lot, which was referred by 
the senate to the attorney general for an opinion, who decided* 
" that it is not competent for any court, or even the legislature 
itself, to add to or diminish from the estate thereby created, or 
to change the nature of the trust, or to confer authority upon the 
trustees to convey the legal estate discharged of this trust, thus 
annexed to it." In consequence of this opinion the legislature 
declined acting, and so informed the petitioners. This opinion 
was sustained substantially by those of several eminent legal 
gentlemen. 

In the final settlement, about twenty-five quit claim deeds were 
given by the new trustees, two or three tenants, members of the 
meeting, declining to receive them. All arrears of rent were 
paid up to April 1, 1844. Whatever may be the legal force of 
these proceedings, they appear to be satisfactory to those most 
interested, and warranty deeds are freely given and received for 
the lands which quiet possession for the constitutional period 
will probably confirm. The first school was on the centre lot, 
and mostly supported by rents, and for several years it drew 
money as a school district. In 1838, dissensions having arisen 
from the rival claims of the district trustees and the Quakers, in 
the employment of teachers, a school house was built by the dis- 
trict, with a tax in the usual way. The income of rents formerly 
amounted to about $280, which made the schools free. This has 
now been reduced to from $50 to $60. 

In 1805 it was agreed by the trustees of the centre lot, that J. 
and T. Townsend should have the use of a lot of fifteen or twenty 
acres of land covering the falls, free of rent, twenty years, on 
which to erect a mill lor the benefit of the settlement. A saw 

* Senate Doc. 1S44, No. 115, p. 3. 



Philadelphia. 225 

and grist mill, under the same roof, was accordingly built in 
1805, James Parker being the millwright, for the two Townsend 
brothers, at this place. The village slowly increased in popu- 
lation, and in 1827 numbered seventeen families, and about 
a dozen houses. It now has. two inns, three stores, two saw 
mills, one grist mill, three wagon shops, one machine shop, 
two shingle machines, one cabinet maker, one cooper, three 
blacksmiths, one tinner, and about fifty families. The village is 
six miles from Theresa, six from Antwerp, seven from Evans' 
Mills, four from Sterlingville, and eleven from Ox Bow. The 
Potsdam and Watertown Rail Road at this place, is crossed by 
the surveyed lines of the Utica and Rome Rail Roads, and the 
fine water power which Indian River here presents, will afford 
an eligible point for the investment of manufacturing - capital. 

To the lover of romantic scenery, the falls and ravines below, 
present attractions of much interest, and in the spring floods, the 
scene becomes one of singular grandeur and beauty. 

Cyrus Dodge, an innkeeper at the village, was instantly killed 
by the bursting of a cannon on the 4th of July, 1829. This 
melancholy accident, resulting from rashly charging the piece 
with stones and grass, checked the festivities of the occasion and 
spread a gloom through the settlement. 

In 1807, a saw mill, known as the De Launey* Mill, was 
built for Le Ray, on Black Creek, a mile and a half above the 
present village of Sterlingville, and in 1824, a saw mill was 
erected at the latter place, for Edmund Tucker, by Harablin and 
Crofoot, which was the first improvement here. About 1834, a 
second saw mill was built, adjacent to the present forge, and in 

1836, there were but three dwellings in this vicinity. 

In 1837, the iron mines in Antwerp, on the farm of Hopestill 
Foster, having been discovered, and sufficiently explored to war- 
rant the belief of their permanence and value, Mr. James 
Sterling, who had previously been engaged in the Rosise furnace, 
and who had purchased an extensive interest in the mine, origin- 
ated the project of establishing a furnace on Black Creek, and 
organized a company, under the general act, Oct. 31, 1837, under 
the name of the Sterling Iron Company, with a capital of 
$20,000, in shares of $100 each. The persons named in the 
articles of association, were Orville Hungerford, James Sterling, 
George Walton, Cakb Essington, and George C. Sherman. A 
quarter furnace was erected, early the same year, and in June, 

1837, the first blast commenced, using cold air, and from inex- 
perience in the management of the ore, not proving very success- 
ful. The first blast continued three months, and made twelve 

* From Mr. De L., a bookkeeper for Le Ray, since of the firm of De 
Launey, Luyt and Buizee, of Havre. 



220 Philadelphia. 

tons per week. The second continued five months, at about the 
same rate of yield, and the third blast, commencing Sept. 10, 
1838, was protracted to a year and fifteen days, a length of time, 
without a parallel among the furnaces in this section of the stale. 
At its close a public dinner was served up to the hands employed 
about the furnace, at the expense of tie proprietors. 

About 1838, an apparatus tor heating the air was introduced, 
and continued about six years, since which the cold blast has 
been alone used, which is found to make an iron of abetter 
quality, and one capable of being chilled* that renders it admir- 
ably adapted to car wheels, for which it is mostly used. This 
company alter continuing less than three years, was given up, 
and a new one, styled the Philadelphia Iron Company, with a 
capital of $15,000, was formed, under the same general act, 
May 19, 1S40, with F. Van Ostrend, Ephraim Taylor, George 
Dickerson, William Skinner, and John Gates, the parties named 
in the articles of association. This company has also ceased to 
exist, but the business has been since continued, under different 
names, but always with James Sterling as the efficient mover, 
and it is now conducted by him and his associates, with much 
success. 

The principal ore employed is from the Sterling Iron Mine, in 
Antwerp, twelve miles distant, from whence it is drawn at a cost 
of$l per ton. Bog ores from Wilna and Philadelphia, and a 
shaly lean ore from the Fuller and Shurtlitf mines in this town, 
near the line of Theresa, have been used to some extent. The 
latter is still used from necessity, as a flux only, for which, from 
the lime contained, it is found to be well adapted. 

In 1841 the furnace was rebuilt; in May 1S49 it was burned, 
and it has been recently rebuilt. The size, when erected, was 
twenty six feet square, thirty two feet high, with an inside diameter 
of seven feet, which has been since more or less varied. It has 
been lined with sandstone from Louisburgh, Antwerp, and 
Theresa. 

The yield of Sterling ore is from forty to forty-five per cent, 
and the pioduct of the furnace has now become liomfour to live 
tons daily. For several seasons, the furnace has been run upon 
contract, the proprietor furnishing the works and the ore, while 
the contractor supplies the labor and fuel. 

A forge was erected at this village, about 1839, by Caleb 
E-sington, and has been since more or less constantly used for 
refining, no ore being used. 

The iron manufacture is the leading business of Sterlingville, 
which is a village of about sixty families, and has besides the 

* A term, used to denote the property of becoming coarsely crystaline, 
white, and very hard, vrhen cast in contact with a cold metallic Burface. 



Philadelphia. 227 

furnace and forge, two taverns, two store?, two saw mills, ami 
several mechanic shops. It is, by plank road seven and a half 
miles from Antwerp, and five from Great Bend; and by common 
roads, four miles from Philadelphia, five from Le Raysville, six 
from Evans' Mills, fourteen from Watertown and ten from 
Carthage. 

In the village of Sterlingville is a copious chalybeate spring, 
slightly sulphurous, and possessing, without a doubt, medicinal 
properties; but it has never been brought into use. A post office 
was established here in February, 1839, with George Walton 
first post master. The other post offices in this town, are Phila- 
delphia, Whitney's Corners, on the plank road from Ox Bow to 
Evans' Mills, and Pogeland, on the plank road between Antwerp 
and Sterlingville. 

The Philadelphia Library was formed September 13, 1831, 
with Edmund Tucker, Alvah Murdock, Henry W. Marshall, Joel 
Haworth, John F. Lattimore, Samuel Rogers, Azel Danforth, 
Weeden Mosher, and John R. Taylor, trustees. 

Relio-ious Societies. — The Friends organized meetings here 
soon after their settlement: and in 1809, built on the centre lot 
a small frame meeting house, which in 1827, was set apart for 
a school, and the present meeting house was built, 30 by 50 feet, 
at a cost of $S0O, under the direction of Edmund Tucker, J. 
Strickland, Jr., J. Townsend, and C. Child. The Indian River 
Preparative, of the Le Ray Monthly Meeting, occupies this 
house. 

The Baptist Church ot Philadelphia was formed by ten mem- 
bers November 5, 1840; since which the following ministers have 
been employed, viz: John Stephens, John Wilder, Charles H. 
Havens, S. L. Bulas, J. F. Bishop, and Henry Ward. A Society 
was formed December 14, 1840, with Elias Roberts, Walter 
Colton, Jesse Smith, E. D. Woodward, and Henry York, trustees. 

The Congregational Church of Philadelphia was formed of 
thirteen members by the Rev. N. Button, of Champion, in the 
winter of 1840-1, and continued to employ him for several years. 
The society of this church was formed February 8, 1841, with 
Nelson Ackert, Milo Shattuck, Abiah Ford, Peter Bethel, and 
Alvah Murdock, trustees. These two societies, in 1S41, erected 
a Union church, each owning an equal share; cost, $1,600 A 
Methodist society was formed March 9, 1S39, with William 
Powell, George Sim, Theodore Cross, Charles R. Sweet, and 
Stephen Post, trustees. They have a church at Philadelphia, 
built soon after the society was formed. 

A second society of the Methodists was formed March 6, 
1844, with Sterling Graves, Richard Crabb, Benjamin Allen, 
and Nelson Chadwick, trustees, who have also a house of worship 
near the line of Antwerp. 



228 Rodman. 

St. Nicholas church (Catholic) was built at Sterlingville, in 
1838-39, at a cost of about $800 ; the site being given by La 
Farge. The priest resides at Carthage. 

Rodman. 

This town, embracing its present limits and a part of Pinck- 
ney, or township No. 8, and part of No. 9, of the Black River 
Tract, was erected under the name of Harrison, from Adams, 
March 24, 1804, the first town meeting being directed to be held 
at the house of Simeon Hunt. The name was derived from 
Richard Harrison, of New York, an eminent lawyer and an asso- 
ciate in several large purchases in this and adjoining counties, 
but it was found inconvenient to have a name so near like Harris- 
burgh, previously existing in Lewis County, and on the 6th of 
April, 1808, the name was changed to the present. We have 
been unable to ascertain from whence it was derived. By an 
act of February 12, 1808, township No. 9 was erected into a 
separate town, under the name of Pinckney, and the county line 
was changed to pass around that town instead of across it. 

Nov. 4, 1804, a special town meeting was held, to choose 
delegates to attend a convention at Denmark to consult on meas- 
ures for the division of the County of Oneida. William Rice, 
Cyrus H. Stone and Simeon Hunt, were appointed. 

At the first town meeting of Harrison, held at the house of 
Simeon Hunt, Thomas White was chosen supervisor, George H. 
Thomas, clerk; Ozias H. Rawson, Cyrus H. Stone, William Rice, 
assessors; Jonathan Davis, Robert Stuart, poor masters; David 
Nikles, S. Hunt, Calvin Clifford, commissioners of highways; 
Peter Yandes, constable and collector; George H. Thomas, John 
Fassett, fence vitwers; S.Hunt, pound master. A special town 
meeting, held for the purpose, September 12, 1805, chose Wm. 
Rice a committee to wait on the court house commissioners, and 
represent the interests of the town. On the 12th of January, 
1807, Wm. Rice, Cyrus H. Stone and Ebenezer Moody, were 
chosen delegates at a special meeting to meet a convention at 
the house of Joseph Clark, in W T atertown, on the 13th inst., to 
take into consideration the military situation of the county. 

Wolf bounties of $ 10 were offered in 1806, 7, 8. In 1806 and 
1814, laws requiring Canada thistles to be cut. In 1823 voted 
against poor house. In 1826, voted to let Wm. Glass's wife 
have the use of a cow, the cow being secured to the town. 

Supervisors. — 1805, Thomas White; 1806-9, Jonathan Davis; 
1810-11, Enoch Murry; 1812, Samuel C. Kanaday; 1814, Abel 
Cole; 1815 and 1830, Nathan Strong; 1831-32, W 7 illiam M. 
Winslow; 1833-36, Ora Cooley; 1837, George Gates; 1838, 
N. Strong; 1S39-40, Thomas Wait; 1841, Ora Cooley; 1842, 



Rodman. 229 

Henry C. Strong; 1843, Herman Strong; 1844-45, H. C. Strong; 
1846, Wm. Gill; 1847, Dennis M. Wait; 1S48-49, Benjamin F. 
Hunt; 1850, Alanson Tibbetts; 1S51-52, George Gates; 1853, 
Ora Cooley. 

This town was first opened for settlement by Harrison and 
Hoffman, under Silas Stow, of Lowville, as agent, in 1801, hav- 
ing been surveyed by Joseph Crary the year previous. It was 
divided into 56 lots, and these were subdivided into quarters. 
The land was generally sold for $3*50 per acre. In 1801, Anson 
and Ebenezer Moody, Jonathan, Noah, and Aaron Davis, Ben- 
jamin Thomas, William Rice, Simeon Hunt, and perhaps a few 
others came in, and commenced small clearings, and in Septem- 
ber Mrs. E. Moody came in to reside, being the first woman that 
settled in town. This family occupied a log house which A. 
Moody had erected that season. In the fall, the first birth oc- 
curred, it being a son of E. Moody, who was named Walter 
Harrison Moody. He died at the age of 3 years, and is believed 
to have been the first death in town. His father, in accordance 
with a promise of Mr. Harrison, received 50 acres of land. 
Roads along Sandy Creek and to Burrville were opened in 1801, 
September 4th, 1802, Timothy Greenly from Litchfield, New 
York, bought of Harrison and Hoffman 2669| acres in the south- 
east corner of the town at eighteen shillings per acre, and the 
second season after removed by way of Redfield. He was a 
prominent citizen, and died February 19th, 1852, aged 84. 
William Rice erected at Rodman Village a saw mill in 1804, 
and in 1806 a grist mill. Simeon Hunt was the first inn keeper. 
Bridges were not completed over Sandy Creek until 1809. 

The books of the land holders show the following additional 
names of those who contracted for land under date of December 
1st, 1804. 

Jesse Smith, afterwards the founder of Smithville, Aaron 
Moody, Horace Townsend, Thomas White, Joseph Nickles, 
Arnold Stone, Nathan Whiteman, Avery Wallsworth, Joseph 
Dana, Titus King, Noah Davis, Thadrick Case, Leonard Fare- 
well, Joshua Finney, John Vaughan, Leonard Barker. On the 
25th of March, 1805, Buell and Westcott, Nathan Freeman. 
In August, Hawks and French, Pierce and Lampson, Wright 
Mead, &c. During the years 1S03-6, the town settled with 
great rapidity, and the pioneers suffered no further hardships 
than fall to the lot of all emigrants. In 1813, sixty deaths oc- 
curred in town, mostly within three months, and from the pre- 
vailing epidemic. With this exception the town has not suffered 
from the sickness that has prevailed in other towns nearer 
the lake. Its feeling of mutual dependence and a willingness 
to divide the burthens and misfortunes of life, is spoken of as 



230 Rodman. 

having existed to an unusual degree in the early settlement 
of the town, in evidence of which, the custom is said to have 
prevailed, if any one was sick and unable to attend to his fields, 
his work was always kept up even with those around him, and 
if one chanced to kill a deer, then very common in town, the 
venison was uniformly divided with neighbors. The kindest 
feeling has ever existed between the several religious societies. 
A school was first opened in town by Miss M. Nobles, in Anson 
Moody's barn, in the summer of 1803. 

The alarm of the first attack on Sackets Harbor, reached this 
town on the sabbath, and created a great excitement. On the day 
following, there was formed a Silver Grey company, of men not 
required to perform military duty. Nathan Strong was chosen 
captain, Simeon Hunt, lieutenant, and Sheldon Hopkins, ensign. 
It numbered about 60 men, and on one occasion repaired to 
Sackets Harbor, but was never armed or called into service. In 
the drafts upon the militia during the war, this town sustained its 
full share, and but few persons left through fear. The Silver 
Greys, in their articles of association, agreed to march to any 
place, within 50 miles of home. 

The earlier surveyors and settlers noticed in a small flat at the 
bottom of the Gulf Stream, a ravine in this town, growing in 
great luxuriance, a variety of plants which are common around 
dwellings, and introduced for medicinal purposes, as tansy, mints, 
balm, &c. The question of their origin, and the time and manner 
of their introduction is a matter of curiosity, but was never 
ascertained. No appearances but these indicated that the place 
had been formerly inhabited. 

Rodman Village, in the valley north of Sandy Creek, five miles 
above Adams, is built mostly on the south bank, and has two 
taverns, four stores, a Methodist and a Congregational church, a 
seminary, and about forty-five dwellings, with the usual variety 
of mechanics' shops. During a considerable part of the year, 
it has hydraulic power for mills, but in the summer months this 
is to some extent supplied by steam. In IS 16, a mail route was 
established, and Nathan Strong was appointed first postmaster. 

In 1840, a seminary of wood, two stories high, with a porch 
in front, and a cupola, was built by voluntary subscriptions, at a 
cost of about $1,200. The land was conveyed in trust to the 
trustees of the Harrison Society, for the purpose of a school, by 
the heirs of Nathan Strong, and for several years a select school 
has been maintained here. On the 8th of December 1840, the 
name of Rodman Union Seminary, was adopted, and Jan. 5th, 
1S41, a constitution was formed, and thirteen trustees chosen. 

Zoar is a hamlet on Sandy Creek, one mile above Kodman 
Village, where there is a Baptist church, inn, store, a few shops, 
and about twenty dwellings. 



Rodman. 231 

Whitesville (East Rodman, post office), is on Sandy Creek, 
about five miles above Rodman Village. It derives its name 
from Thomas White, who in 1802 settled there from Litchfield, 
N. Y. He wasfor several years a sub agent for the town, and 
in 1S03 built the first grist mill in town. He removed westward, 
about 1810. At this place is a small village, consisting of a 
store, grist mill, a few shops, and a small cluster of dwellings. 

Religious Societies. — The first religious service in town, was 
conducted in the summer of 1S02, by Rev. Mr. Woodward, a 
missionary, who on a week day preached to a small audience, at 
the hut of Anson Moody. 

The Congregational Church of Rodman, was formed by Rev. 
EbenezerLazelle, of Watertown, Sept. 22, 1805. Occasional 
preaching only was had until the second sabbath in Aug. 1808, 
when the Rev. David Spear,* first preached, and was soon em- 
ployed. In Sept.' 1809, he was installed, has since, with two or 
three years' interval, continued the pastor until the present time. 
The first number was 9, total 521; present number (August. 
1S53), 210. In 1S09, July 17th, the Harrison Society, belonging 
with this church, was formed, with Reuben Tremain, 'James 
Loomis, Asa Davis, Simeon Hunt, Jonathan Wyman and D. 
Eastman, trustees. The society was reorganized, April, 24, 1834, 
and in ]8l5 built a church 38 by 50 feet. In 1850 this was 
replaced by the present church, which was dedicated in March, 
1851; it is 40 by 61 feet. From 1809 to 1821, was a period of 
religious interest, and in 1821-23, were great accessions. 

In the spring of 1811, about six or eight Baptists in town, 
agreed to hold meetings on the sabbath, as often as convenient, 
and to invite such preachers as might be procured to attend, among 
whom was Joseph Maltby, who on the 27th of March, 1812, 
formed, at the house of Benjamin Cole, a church of nine males 
and thirteen females. These, on the 30th of June, were duly 
fellowshiped, by a council convened for the purpose by delegates 
from Rutland First Church (Elder Solomon Johnson), Adams 
(Elder Timothy Heath), and Watertown (Elders Gill and Mor- 
gan), and Mr. Maltby was duly ordained as pastor. Isaac 
Benjamin, Joseph Cornell, Daniel Peck, and others have since 
been employed. This church was afterwards formed as a branch 
of the Adams Church, and in November 1844, it was reorganized 
as a separate church, on a petition signed by about 50 members. 
In 1822, a church was erected at Zoar, and Dec. 11th, 1S22, a 
society was formed with Arnold Stone, Levi Heath, and Elisha 

* It is seldom that we meet with an instance in which the pastoral relation 
lias been so long maintained by one person. Mr. Spear was born in Rupert, 
Vt., June, 1781, and studied with Rev. John B. Preston, of his native place. 
Since the above date he has resided here, and no better evidence of esteem and 
regard, earned by a lifetime of daily precept, by example, could be adduced. 



232 Rutland. 

Cook, trustees. On the 6th of Oct. 1846, this was reorganized, 
with P. W. Dyer, John Nichols, and John W. Wait, trustees. 

The First Methodist Society in Rodman, was formed Aug. 6, 
1829, with John Adams, Jonathan Boyington, Ebenezer Black- 
stone, Arthur Robbins, Anson Moody, Epaphras Moody, Wm. 
Butterfield, Daniel Kinney, and Chauncey Davis, trustees. This 
society has a church, two miles below Whitesville. 

The First Methodist Episcopal Society, in Rodman Village, 
was formed March, 1848, with Elam Cooley, Hiram Buell, John 
Buell, James W. Brown, Winson D. Allport, Alanson Kinney, 
Isaac Jenks, Freeman Tuttle, and Almanzor Tibbets, trustees. 
A church was built in 1849. 

The Second Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
Rodman, was formed Dec. 10, 1841. Green Budlong, Hiram 
Buel, Allen Parker, Orris Buel, Joseph S. Rising, Jesse Spencer, 
Abel Case, Jacob Vroman, and Hervy Kellogg, were elected 
trustees. 

Rutland. , 

This town, embracing its present limits, or township No. 3, 
of the Black River Tract, was taken April 1, 1802, from Water- 
town; the first town meeting being held at the house of David 
Coffeen. 

The first town officers chosen, were David CofFeen, supervisor; 
Jacob A. Williams, clerk; Abel Sherman,* Zelotus Harvey, Wm. 
CofFeen, assessors; Levi Heath, Solomon Thompson, Gershom 
Tuttle, commissioners highways; Benj. Edde, constable and col- 
lector; besides two pound masters, three fence viewers, twelve 
path masters, three deer reeves, six hog reeves, and a committee 
of three to settle accounts with Watertown. 

Wolf bounties of $10 were offered in 1803, 7, 8, 14, and of 
$15, in 1805-6. Fox bounties of $0'50, in 1816, and of $1, in 
1818. In 1811-12 a law was passed, requiring Canada thistles 
to be cut, "at the full moon in June, July, and August," under a 
penalty of $1. 

Supervisors.— 1803, David Coffeen; 1804-5, Clift French; 
1806, Ethel Bronson; 1807, Zelotus Harvey; 1808, Hugh Hen- 
derson. At a special meeting in April, Ethel Bronson, to fill 
vacancy; 1809-13, Judah Williams. In July IS 13, Jonathan 
Smiley, to fill vacancy; 1814-20, J. Smiley; 1821-23, Ethel 
Bronson; 1824-26, Amos Stebbins; 1827-35, Joseph Graves; 
1836, John Felt; 1837-40, Geo. White; 1841-42, Aaron W. 
Potter; 1843, J. Graves; 1844, David Howland; 1845, Gardner 
Towne; 1846-47, Merril Coburn; 1848-49, Asa Clark, Jr.; 
1850-52, Martin L. Graves; 1853, John A. Sherman. 

* Dr. Abel Sherman, the first sheriff, was a native of Brimfield, Mass., 
and removed to Clinton, Oneida County, from whence, in 1802, he settled in 
Rutland, on the south road, where he subsequently lived and died. 



Rutland. 233 

The name of this town was selected at a town meeting, held 
for the purpose, and was suggested by settlers from Rutland, in 
Vermont. 

This town was surveyed by Benjamin Wright, in 1796, into 
57 lots, of about 500 acres each, and in 1799 he subdivided these 
into quarters. 

This town haviag fell to the share of Wm. Henderson, in the 
division of the Black River Tract, was first opened for settlement 
by his agent, Asher Miller, of Middletown, Ct., whom he em- 
ployed, June 6, 1799, to remove to the town, and commence 
improvements. As a consideration, he was allowed the choice 
of 500 acres, wherever he might select, and at a very reduced 
rate. Accordingly, in July, Miller opened a road from the river, 
to near the centre of the town, and fixed his residence and location, 
near the small lake, about a mile east of Rutland Village. From 
a memorandum, made by him, we derive the following names of 
purchasers, during the years 1799, 1800, 1801, from which it 
will be seen, that the town settled with great rapidity, mostly by 
emigrants from New England. Nearly all of these men are now 
dead. The number of acres taken by each is appended. 

In 1799, Levi Butterfield (September 21), 172; Perley Keyes, 
Amos Stebbins, and William Keyes (October 3), 343; David 
Coffeen (November 1), 391; Goldsmith CofTeen, 312; Raphael 
Porter, 213; Israel Wright, 98; Jonathan and Clark Boss, 161 
James Killiam, 141; Charles Kelsey, 116; Jeplha King, 137 
John Dole, 154; Gardner Cleveland, 242; Warren Foster, 142 
John Cotes, 134 (November 6). 

In 1800, in June, John Earl, Jr., 120; Nathan Green, 128 
Robert Jeroms, 145; Isaac and Caleb Corp, 196; in July, Henry 
Houk, 130; in autumn, John Earl, 134; Danford Earl, 113 
Simeon Munson, 89; Mathias Houk, 135; Alford Comins, 94 
Charles Comins, 128; Solomon Tuttle, 233; Chauncey Rawson 
122; Gershom Tuttle, 276; Abel Sherman, 229; KenyonLarkin 
352; Peter Cook, 92,- Ezekiel Andrews, 144; — Rose, — Welch 
155; Lot McClure, 72; Isaiah Bailey, 50; Luther Foot, 137 
Enos Sanford, 141; Jacob A. Williams, 108; Amos Barnes, 2d 
97; Stephen Kemball, 97; Vernon Huston, 193; Elijah Beech 
80; Thomas Lee, 61; Daniel Russell, 75; Turner Ellis, 160 
Joseph Patterson, 122; Silas Pierce, 100; Benjamin White, 53 
James Murray, 125; Abner White, 51; Thomas M. Converse, 

78; Brayton, Swan, 93; Jonathan Hill, Frederick 

Tyler, 146; John Stanley, 136; Stephen Cummins, 146; Andrew 
Stafford, 116; James Stafford, 106; William H. Stevens, 81; 
Dr. Philips, 197; Henry Allen, 106; Elisha Ludden, 261; Philip 
H. Hinman; 269; Thomas Hosmer, 225; Peter Wright, 118; 
Erastus Maltby, 158; Chandler Maltby, 151; Roger Williams, 

16 



234 Rutland. 

291; George White, 266; Benjamin Pike, 170; Clift French, 
105. 

In 1801, William Coffeen, 257; Thomas Dunton, 328; John 
Patterson, 130; Alexander Warner, 74; Joseph W 7 akefield, 98; 
Jesse Hale, Asa, and Luther Brown, 100; Josiah Osmer, Luther 
W. Dexter, 120; Samuel Tread way, 178; Orange Eno, 68; 
James Morse, 68; Levi Hare, 155; Joseph Underwood, 133; 
John Smith, 121; David Stafford, 118; Thomas Starkweather, 
103; Joseph Luddon, 124; Thomas Hill, 112; Caleb Harris, 

114; Scott, Wessel, Johnson, 651; Asher Bull, 

247; Ethan Newton, 130; Stukely Wicks, 114; Jonathan Covey, 
126; Job Olmstead, 145; Brittan, Foster, 173. 

Without date, but in one of the above years, Jonathan Davis, 
93; Thinyon Green, 110; Charles Hill, 120; Jacob Shook, 70; 
Ethan Post, 148; Artemas Pike, 135; Samuel Parker, 120. 

The total amount of sales during the three years was 17,549*03 
acres for $50,738 # 14, the contracts being without interest for 
one year. By much the largest part of the town was thus rapidly 
settled, the unsold portions being along the north and south 
bounds. 

In June, 1803, Abel French succeeded as agent, and the 
same year sold 2,313 acres for $7,112-60. Early in 1804, Hen- 
derson assigned to Dr. Isaac Bronson, of Greenfield, Ct., and 
afterwards of New York, his interest in the town. Dr. Bron- 
son was born in Middlebury, Ct. ; when a youth he studied 
medicine at Hartford, and at an early age obtained a commission 
as surgeon on board a merchant ship, and sailed for the East 
Indies, where, by trade, he amassed wealth. On returning, he 
embarked in land speculations, and among other things, on the 
disbandment of the American army, at the close of the Revolu- 
tionary war, he purchased soldiers' scrip at a great discount, 
which afterwards rose to par. 

Soon after the purchase of the townships by Dr. Isaac Bron- 
son, he appointed Ethel Bronson, his brother, of Middlebury, Ct., 
agent, to settle in the town and sell his lands. Previous adven- 
turers had brought back flattering accounts of the country, and 
New England was filled with the fame of the new and fertile 
lands of the Black River Country. In May, 1804, Ethel Bronson, 
David Tyler, and Josiah Tyler, with their families, started 
for their distant home. Three weeks were consumed in the 
journey, the latter part of which was difficult and perilous. The 
roads, lately marked out, and leading through almost uninhabited 
forests, were hardly passable with teams. Frequent breakages 
compelled the party to walk, encamp in their wagons, or the 
most convenient locality, and subsist on whatever was at hand. 
Fortunately, however, they suffered no want of provisions before 



Rutland. 235 

they reached their destination. Ethel Bronson settled in the 
centre of the town ; and David and Josiah Tyler, in the southern 
part; after whom the present village of Tylerville was named. 

Among the first to settle in this town, were Samuel Porter and 
family, who experienced many hardships, being obliged to send 
to Whitesboro to mill, a distance of nearly seventy miles, the 
journey being performed with an ox team. It is said that strag- 
gling Indians infested the settlements when new, and proved an- 
noying, by pilfering, or openly plundering the property of the 
settlers in the absence of the men at their work. 

In connection with the perils of the pioneer life, may here, 
perhaps, not inappropriately be noticed those of one, who, at a 
later period, lived and died in this town. The events happened 
at an early period, and at a distant locality, but the account will 
interest many who w r ere personally acquainted with their heroine. 

" Mrs. Elizabeth Parkinson, who died in Rutland, June 22, 
1842, at the advanced age of eighty-four, was a native of New 
Hampshire, having married, for her first husband, Mr. Peter Poor, 
and with him moved to the town of Bethel, situated near the 
source of the Androscoggin River, in the state of Maine. Here 
she was residing with her husband and two children in the year 
17S1; in the autumn of which year the savages came down upon 
that recent and defenceless settlement to seek for scalps and 
plunder. 

These savages were instigated to maurauding and murderous 
expeditions by the bounty offered by the British for scalps. They 
entered the house of Mrs. P., with two of her neighbors already 
captured and bound, and made enquiry for her husband, who was 
fortunately absent at the time. After having ate, plundered and 
rioted as they pleased, they went in quest of Mr. Poor, and with- 
out her knowledge found him, and on his refusing to become 
their prisoner, shot him, and took his scalp in their sacks. Mrs. 
P. fled from her house with her children, and waded the Andros- 
coggin at as great a depth as she dared, in order to avoid being 
traced by the Indians, and at night lodged in the forest. Mean- 
while, her husband had been discovered and taken up, and in the 
first house she dared approach, she beheld his mutilated and 
bloody corpse. This was a heart-rending scene; and yet it was 
met with Christian fortitude. She was soon composed, and sat 
down to her Bible, which she had not forgotten to take along 
with her, and opened the 46th Psalm, and when she came to the 
10th verse she responded in her heart, " I will be still." She 
buried her husband, then took her children with her upon a horse 
and started for her friends. The road was, at best, only a foot- 
path, winding through a dense forest, over hills and across 
bridgeless streams. The journey was made as fast as possible by 



236 Rutland. 

day, and through the night she composed herself as well as she 
could, being compelled to lodge upon the ground with no cover- 
ing but the dense branches of the woods. There were beasts of 
prey to seek her life, and none to preserve and defend her but 
her Maker. 

She afterwards married Mr. William Parkinson, with whom 
she moved to Sharon, in this state. They were indigent in cir- 
cumstances, and, as usual in new countries, Mrs. P. endured pri- 
vations, and labored hard'to assist her husband in maintaining 
the family. She earned some money by weaving, and on Satur- 
day of each week would travel on foot five and eight miles with 
the articles she had woven, receive her pittance tor her work, 
and return to her family. She afterwards removed to Rutland, 
where her husband soon died, and where herself finally rests from 
her labors." 

These facts were taken from an extended obituary notice, pub- 
lished in the New-York Observer, December 10, 1842. The first 
child born in the town of Rutland, among the families of set- 
tlers, was in the family of Charles Kelsey. The first school was 
taught by Miss A. Porter, in 1803. The early incidents of this 
town do not possess sufficient interest to particularize from those 
in the country generally. 

In the newly settled district embraced in townships 2 and 3, 
the men were mostly in the prime of life, fond of athletic games, 
and, at their gatherings, would often indulge in amusements that 
are now nearly obsolete. Among these, wrestling at " square 
hold," was esteemed as a sport that afforded the fairest test of 
personal strength and agility, and a successful wrestler would, in 
those days, acquire distinction wholly unknown at present. On 
a certain occasion, about 1803, a bet had been made by a No. 1 
man, " that his town (Rutland) could throw every thing in. 
No. 2" (Watertown), and as this challenge was too direct to be 
evaded, about a hundred men assembled, by appointment, at G. 
Tuttle's, in the edge of Rutland, to settle the question, the vic- 
tors, besides the consolation of beating their adversaries, being 
promised all they could eat and drink. After various prelimina- 
ries and much discussion, it was agreed that each town should 
choose a man, and that they would abide by the result of this sin- 
gle contest. David Coffeen was chosen by No. 3, and Turner by 
No. 2, but after a long trial neither succeeded, and night put an 
end to the contest. The parties separated, with the agreement 
that they should settle the question when they next met, which 
accidentally happened some days after, and the question of su- 
premacy was decided in favor „ of Rutland. 

During the war, a company of Silver Grays, consisting of 
about forty, mostly revolutionary soldiers, whose age exempted 



Rutland. 237 

them from militia service, was organized under Timothy Tamb- 
lin as captain, and Levi Butterfield as lieutenant. They were at 
Sackets Harbor for several weeks, and erected near the site of 
Madison Barracks, a defence, which was named Fort Volunteer. 
Judge Ethel Bronson continued in the agency of his brother's 
estates in this county till his death in 1825, and in September, 
Major George White, an active and prominent citizen, who had 
lived in town almost since its first seltlement, was appointed, and 
continued till the lands were sold, and. accounts settled with the 
proprietor. On the 13th of April, 1846, the last of the lands 
were sold, it being an island near the village of Black River. 
Most of the settlers enumerated in the previous list, came in and 
commenced improvements immediately. Dr. Hugh Henderson 
was the first physician; the first death was the wife of Francis 
Towne. 

The first inn was kept by Levi Butterfield, near the centre of 
the town, at what is now generally called Rutland Village. The 
county map of Burr gives the name of this place as Brooksville, 
from Curtis G. Brooks, an early and prominent settler, but it has 
never been known by this among the inhabitants. 

The first grist mill in town, and in the county, was erected in 
1800 by David Coffeen, who had received a gift often acres (to. 
be confirmed when the mill was finished) at the present village 
of Felt's Mills, and on Mill Creek near its mouth. This prim- 
itive mill was indeed rude and humble, but very useful for the 
settlements throughout the county. It was got in operation in 
March 1801, and was resorted to from great distances. The 
millwright was Samuel Parker, and the first pair of mill stones 
was made from boulders of gneiss, found in the vicinity. This 
mill opened a new era in the business of milling, which had been 
previously accomplished by pounding in stump mortars rudely 
scooped out. 

This was the first improvement in this place, and the next 
season a saw mill was erected. Coffeen, subsequently sold to 
Wolcott Hubbel, and the latter to Barnabas Eldridge. The 
property passed from him to Ba'rnabas La Grange, and in 1813, 
to John Felt, from whom the place derives its present name. 

In 1808, a bridge was built to the Island, and soon after 
another to the north bank, which was swept off in 1811. In 
1821, a dam was built across Black River, and the present stone 
grist mill was erected the year after. In 1823-4, a saw mill 
was built on the island, and in 1S42 another and larger one 
lower done, since which time a very extensive business of lum- 
bering has been carried on at this place, from two to three millions 
of feet of pine having been sent to market annually. The Pine 
Plains which are immediately adjacent on the north bank of the 



238 Rutland. 

river furnished for many years the logs for supplying these mills, 
but this source having been mostly exhausted, they are now 
principally derived from the forests in the eastern part of Lewis 
County, being floated down in the spring flood. This business 
at this place may be said to have nearly ended. 

Felt's Mills is a place of considerable business, having besides 
three saw mills, a grist mill, and a variety of manufacturing 
establishments with water power, an inn, several stores, a Union 
Church, and about fifty dwellings. The church belongs to 
Methodists, Baptists, and Universalists, and was erected in 
in 1848. This place is by plank road eight miles from Water- 
town and two from the Great Bend. 

By an act of April 1st, 1841, the island at Felt's Mills was 
taken from Le Ray, and annexed to Rutland. The Felt's Mills 
Burial Ground Association was formed March 29th, 1852, with 
Oliver A. Tooker, Henry W. Chapman, Elijah Graves, Samuel 
Felt, Hugh Roberts, and Joshua Roberts, trustees. 

Tylerville (East Rutland P. 0.), is situated in a narrow val- 
ley, on Sandy Creek, and at an early day it acquired some im- 
portance from its being the seat of a small woolen factory, that 
was erected by The Rutland Woolen Manufacturing Company, 
formed September 25th, 1811, with a capital of $25,000, and 
the following parties as signers of the articles, the first three 
being trustees. Ethel Bronson, Daniel Eames, Josiah Tyler, 
Thomas Hill, Abel Doolittle, Eber Ingalsbe, and John Oaks. 

The first settlement at this place began in the spring of 1805, 
by Erastus Lathrop and Nathaniel Frink, from Norway, N. Y., 
the former of whom erected a grist mill, and the latter a saw 
mill. Josiah and Frederick Tyler were early settlers, and from 
them the village derives its name. Joel Webb, Abel Doolittle, 
and others settled here at an early period. The woolen factory 
established here was the first in the county. A building for 
carding and spinning by water, and another for hand looms were 
built at this place in 1812, and got in operation during the fol- 
lowing winter. High prices were necessarily paid for wool, 
which embarrassed their operations, and on the 13th of April, 
1814, an act was passed allowing $5,000 to be loaned from the 
state treasury to Ethel Bronson, in behalf of the company, secu- 
rity being given. September 19, 1817, the machinery was sold 
at auction to Daniel Eames for $400, and it has since been used 
as a cloth dressing works, until within ten years. About eighty 
per cent of stock was paid in, and most of those concerned lost 
money in the business. Since the discontinuance of these opera- 
tions the place has not grown, and it has but about thirty 
families. 

Black River village and post office, locally known as Lock- 



Rutland. 



239 



port, is situated two and a half miles below Felt's Mills, on both 
sides of Black River, in Rutland and Le Ray. Improvements 
commenced here in 1806, by the erection of a saw mill by Isaac 
and Harvey Cleveland. The mill being destroyed by the flood 
of 1807, was rebuilt the same season. There was at this place, 
in 1818, but one house. About 1815, Andrew Middleton and 
Christopher Poor erected a mill at some distance below the pres- 
ent village, where a branch of Black River issues from a subter- 
ranean passage, and affords a mill privilege. About 1810 there 
was erected a grist mill, and the place being one that affords 
an extraordinary amount of water power, has become the centre 
of considerable business, having at present three saw mills, a 
grist mill, two butter tub factories, a chair factory, a tannery, 
two shingle factories, a wagon shop, a machine shop, two inns, 
&c. There are several very available, but at present unoccupied 
w 7 ater privileges on Black River, the whole of which could be 
repeatedly used below the village. This town deserves honora- 
ble mention, for the interest that has been manifested in support- 
ing district schools. In 1836, school district No. 4, erected on a 
road between the middle and south roads, the elegant school 
house represented in 
the accompanying 
engraving, at a cost 
of about $1,000. 
The project was 
originated and 
mostly sustained by 
Moses Eames, Cliff 
E a m e s , Gardner 
Towne, Alexander 
Warner, Horace 
Tyler, and B. F. 
Hunt, who were 
subsequently joined 

by H. Hopkins. This district has found it for their interest to 
employ well qualified teachers, and the school has for several 
years been under the supervision of Miss C. M. Johnson (a grad- 
uate of the State Normal School), to whom it owes much of its 
popularity. The trustees have also taken care to provide appa- 
ratus, and all those appendages that tend to the promotion of the 
health, comfort, and mental improvement of scholars. The ex- 
ample has been followed by several other districts, and has ex- 
cited an emulation in the highest degree beneficial. The repu- 
tation of these schools has drawn students from a distance, and 
the enlightened policy with which they have been conducted is 
worthy of general imitation. 




The Model School House] 



240 Rutland. 

Rutland is one of the best dairying towns in the county, if 
not in the state. It is situated on the summit of the Trenton 
limestone formation, and although to one entering it from 
Watertown, it appears elevated, it is less so than the country 
further east and south, and one cause of its peculiar fitness for 
grazing, is, doubtless, in the abundance and excellence of its 
'springs of water. From the brow of the hills that overlook the 
country north and, west, to great distances, the most magnifi- 
cent prospect is presented, the country below being quite level, 
in one direction bounded by the lake, and in the other it extends 
off towards St. Lawrence County, until lost in the distance. The 
traces of ancient works which this town affords, indicate that it 
was formerly inhabited by the native Indians in considerable 
numbers, but their cabins had nearly or quite disappeared from 
this, in common with most other parts of the county, before the 
present settlements commenced. 

There are several deeply interesting geological features in this 
town, which are due to the latest, and, indeed, almost the last, of 
the agencies which have modified the earth's surface. Across 
the northern part of the town, nearly parallel with Black River, 
and about two miles distant, is Rutland Hollow, a remarkable 
valley, worn in the limestone, like the valley of a river, but en- 
tirely destitute of any running stream that could have produced 
it. Near the middle is a marshy spot, from which the water flows 
off in both directions, and then appears to be continued across 
Watertown, Houndsfield, Adams, and Henderson, to the lake, 
although in some places interrupted, and scarcely perceptible. 

Along the edge of the terrace of limestone which underlies the 
town, and at an elevation of nearly four hundred feet above the 
lake, is distinctly to be observed the trace of an ancient beach, 
proving that the lake once washed these bluffs, and covered the 
low country north and west. Both of these features in geology 
will be again noticed. 

Near the south-west border of this town, are the Burrville Cas- 
cades, which consist of four separate falls, leaping into one basin, 
from the elevated table land above. The first two descend a per- 
pendicular distance of forty-five feet, and the last two a distance 
of twenty to thirty feet, by a gradual descent, over shelving lime- 
stone rock. These streams, uniting at this point, form the North 
Sandy Creek. Standing at the foot of the fall, the semicircular 
basin, fringed with foliage of varied hues, and resounding with 
the music of the waterfalls, the scene in summer is one of sur- 
passing loveliness, and when swollen by spring floods, one of 
singular grandeur. The spot is much resorted to, and is said by 
tourists to excel, in quiet, yet majestic beauty, any scenery in the 
state. It is narrated that a Mr. Lampson fell from the top of the 
highest fall to the bottom, and escaped uninjured. 



Rutland. 241 

On the farm of Dr. C. P. Kimball, near Burrville, is a remark- 
ably copious spring, the same that is mentioned by the Rev. John 
Taylor, in an early missionary tour through the country.* 

The Rutland Farmers' Library was incorporated Nov. 11, 
1806, the first trustees being, Ethel Bronson, Hugh Henderson, 
Abel Sherman, Daniel Eames, and Curtis Mallory. 

Religious Societies. — Meetings for religious worship were 
first held at the house of Raphael Porter. The first Congrega- 
tional church was organized Jan. 12, 1808, by the Rev. — La- 
throp, a missionary, from Vermont, consisting of ten members, 
viz., David Tyler, Amos Mallory, Thomas Converse and wile, 
Timothy Tamblin and wife, Samuel Porter and wife, and Wil- 
liam Parkinson and wife, Amos Mallory and David Tyler, 
were afterwards chosen deacons. The whole number received as 
communicants up to Nov. 6, 1853, has been 320: present num- 
ber 100. 

The First Religious Society of Rutland was formed Feb. 8, 
1808, and Ethel Branson, Timothy Tamblin, John Read, Thomas 
Converse, and Ebenezer Hayward, were elected trustees. 

It may be mentioned as indicative of the strict Puritanism of 
the early fathers of the church, that Amos Mallory was objected 
to for the office of deacon, on account of not having a wife, a de- 
ficiency which is contrary to the letter of the law. We are not in- 
formed whether they required him to qualify for the office by com- 
plying with the scriptural advice on this subject. The first pruden- 
tial committee was formed Oct. 26, 1815, consisting of David 
Tyler, Amos Mallory, Ethel Bronson, Jonas Bronson, Levi Hall, 
and Rev. Daniel Banks, the latter of whom became the first pas- 
tor, and was ordained over this church and that of Watertown, 
October 26, 1815. Previous to him, the clergy had been, the 
Rev/Messrs. — Lathrop, 1808, Enos Bliss, 1810, — Leaven- 
worth, 1813. On the 20th Jan., 1824, the Rev. Adams W. 
Piatt was ordained, and remained till July, 1829, when he dis- 
solved his connection with the church. On the 24th of Feb- 
ruary, 1824, the church numbered 87 members, the total up to 
that time having been 116, of whom 23 had united by letter, and 
77 by profession. Of the latter, 30 joined in 1817, and 18 in 
1822-3. On the 22d December, 1823, it was resolved to unite 
with the Presbytery, retaining the former plan of government, 
but placing themselves under their watch and care. This was 
done Jan. 20, 1824. 

In 1835, July 5, the Rev. David Spear was employed for a 

stated time j in 1838, Rev. Morton; and in 1839 the Rev. 

J. H. Rice. On the 25th of November, 1841, the Rev. Hiram 
Doane was installed over the church. Rev. James Douglas was 

* Documentary History of New-York, vol. iii., p. 1144. 



242 



Rutland. 



in September, 1850, employed for one year, at the end of which 
time he left to fill a professorship to which he had been promoted 
in Genesee College, Lima, N. Y. In his absence, the Rev. Hen- 
ry Budge was employed for one year, and in May, 1853, Prof. 
James Douglass, having resigned his chair as professor, received 
a unanimous call from the church and society to become their 
pastor, and in September, of the same year, was ordained and 
installed over the church. 

For a series of years, meetings were held in a school house, 
until the first church was erected in 1819, opposite the residence 
of Henry Hopkins. The old site was exchanged for a new one, 
upon which the 
present edifice 
was erected, 'in 
1841. It has a 
bell, a good in- 
strument for the 
choir, and an am- 
ple session room 
in the basement. 
There is a flour- 
ishing sabbath 
school connected 
with the church, 
numbering about 
100 scholars, and 
a library of 500 
volumes. The 

Ladies' Sewing Circle contributes about $50 per year to char- 
itable purposes, and contributions to other benevolent objects, 
during the past year, have amounted to $150. We are indebted 
to Mr. Charles Hopkins, of Yale College, for most of the above 
statistics. 

The North Rutland Baptist Church was formed from one that 
had been disbanded July 22, 1837; reorganized by a council 
September 27, following, with twenty-eight members. In June, 
1836, they were received by the Black River Association, under 
the charge of Elder Alvah D. Freeman, who remained till Sep- 
tember 14, 1839. In December, 1839, Justus Taylor succeeded, 
and May 7, 1840, was dismissed. Elder Sardis Little begun 
June 20, 1840, and continued till January 6, 1842. Elder John 
Wilder remained from May 21, 1842, till May 1, 1847, when 
Elder Sylvester Davis supplied the desk occasionally until April 
29, 1848, when Elder D. D. Reed succeeded till March, 1850. 
In the summer of 1850, Elder Hartshorn was employed, and 
since August 1st, 1850, Elder Lorenzo Rice. Total number up 




* JH °T«AN 



Congregational Church. 



Theresa. 243 

to the present time, 138; dismissed by letter, 65; excluded, 8; 
restored, 1; died, 11; present number 56. A church was erected 
near the residence ot Dea. Fuller, in the north part of the town, 
in 1821, at a cost of $1200, and on the 6th of January, 1842, 
by the advice of a council, adopted by the church, it was voted 
unanimously to remove the location to the Great Bend, which 
was accordingly done, and a new church, derived, so far as prac- 
ticable, from the old, was erected at the latter place, as stated on 
page 135 of this work. 

The Baptist Society of South Rutland was formed November 
11, 1833, James Brown, Steven Brainard, and Milo Maltby, 
trustees. This society, in concert with the Methodists and Uni- 
versalists, in 1843 erected a union church, the only one in the 
village of Tylerville. 

A Baptist church was formed at Lockport, in 1837, and the 
next year joined the association and reported thirty-nine mem- 
bers. It never had a meeting house, and has ceased to report. 

The Methodists erected, several years since, a church in Rut- 
land Hollow, but we have not been able to procure its statistics. 

The Methodist Episcopal Society of Black River was formed 
April 9, 1845, with Thomas H. Scott, Bildad Woodward, Henry 
Scott, William P. Treadway, and David Dexter, trustees. 

Theresa. 

This town was erected by an act of April 15th, 1841, from 
Alexandria, with its present limits, the first town meeting being 
directed to be held at the house of Marcius B. Ashley, in the 
village of Theresa. An election was held May 11th, to fill 
vacancies occasioned by the act, those elected at the last meeting 
in Alexandria, being still the incumbents in the towns in which 
they resided, till the expiration of their terms. 

Supervisors. — 1841, Alexander Salisbury; 1842-3, John D. 
Davison; 1844-5, Archibald Fisher; 1846, Jesse Kelsey; 
1847-8, Zalmon Pool, Jr.; 1849-50, Anson Ranney; 1851, P. 
D. Bullard; 1852-3, A. Ramsey. 

This town was named after the daughter of J. Le Ray, who 
married the Marquis de Gouvello, and resides in France. 

The Falls on Indian River in this town, were early marked as 
an eligible point for a village, and about 1810, Mr. Le Ray 
caused several "jobs" to be cleared in town, one of one hun- 
dred acres on the James Shurtliff farm, a mile and a quarter 
south of the falls, another of forty acres, nearer the falls, at the 
forks of the roads near Mr. J. Fayel's residence, and one or two 
others in this town, and Alexandria. He also caused a saw mill 
to be erected at the Falls, at which many thousand feet of lum- 
ber were made, and sent down to Rossie and Ogdensburgh. 



244 Theresa. 

The war which soon ensued checked these improvements, and 
left a large quantity of lqmber on the premises, much of which 
rotted on the ground. The clearings having been seeded with 
grass, were occupied in the summer of 1813, as pasturage for 
a herd of sixty cattle, twenty horses, and about four hundred and 
fifty sheep, of which Capt. John Hoover, and a hired man (John 
A. Evans) were employed as keepers. The hazard attending 
the trust may be inferred from the fact that the clearing was 
surrounded by a dense forest, which extended to the St. Law- 
rence, and to a great distance to the east, west, and south, the 
nearest neighbor being at Evans' Mills, 9 miles, and Friends 
Settlement, 7 miles distant, to the former of which, a blind path 
led through the woods. Should the enemy make an incursion in 
force, the only chance of safety was in a strongly built log house, 
which had been erected for the storage of wheat, and which 
they had fitted for hasty barricades, should these be necessary; 
nor was this frontier station without incident. On the occasion 
of the affair of Goose Creek, in July, 1813, which we have 
more fully detailed in its place, Capt. Hoover rallied his com- 
pany in Le Ray, and took part in the action, which for the 
number engaged, conferred as much honor upon the American 
name as any that occurred in the war. The prisoners were 
marched past the little camp on their way to Sackets Harbor, 
and Capt. H. resumed his lonely vigil with no society but his 
wife, and hired man, a few trusty guns, and a plenty of ammu- 
nition. A few days after, near sunset, being out a short distance 
in the border of the woods that separated the two clearings, in 
which were the stock he was watching, he noticed five of the 
enemy cautiously approaching, who, without noticing him, 
crept into a barn on the premises, to spend the night. Not 
doubting but that they had come to spy out the weakness of the 
place, he returned, and securely fastened himself in his house, 
and at dawn crept out with his gun to watch their movements, 
and perhaps attempt some achievement if circumstances favored. 
Having taken a station a few rods from the clearing near the 
present corners of the roads, at the house of Mr. Fayel, he soon 
perceived the five soldiers approaching, and challenged them 
after the manner of a sentinel, demanding who they were, to 
which they replied "friends." He then ordered them to ad- 
vance, and lay down their arms, upon which two approached, 
and the others fled. These two he assured " should not be mo- 
lested by his regiment," if they continued orderly and. quiet, 
and having disarmed them, and mounted them upon horses, him- 
self fully armed, riding behind on a spirited horse, he conducted 
them to the camp at Sackets Harbor. 

In 1814, a bridge was built at the High Falls (Theresa), and 



Theresa. 245 

about 1818, a reservation of 1000 acres, -was surveyed for Mr. 
Le Ray, by Musgrove Evans. In 1819, a grist mill was erected 
for Le Ray, and in 1819, a tavern, which the next year was 
burned. The town began to open for settlement at about this 
time, and the first inhabitants were not exposed to the incon- 
veniences of distant mills, as these were among the earliest im- 
provements. In an original map of the village, are the names 
of the following as first purchasers of lots. Azariah Walton 
(5 acres on the east bank at the falls), Ebenezer Lull, Samuel 
Hall, Mrs. Keeler, E. F. Cook, M. Huntington, H. Money, G. 
Locke and P. Lehman. Mr. Lull opened the first store here in 
1820. Among the first settlers in town were James Shurtliff,* 
Anson Cheeseman, Marcius B. Ashley, Col. Bull, and others. 
Dr. James Brooks settled as the first physician in 1822, and 
died the next year. 

The village of Theresa, on the west bank of Indian River, at 
the High Falls, possesses an immense water power, which has 
been but partially improved. There were in September, 1853, 
2 grist mills with nine run of stones, 3 saw mills, 2 furnaces and 
shops, 1 machine shop, 1 plaster mill, 1 shingle mill, 1 wagon 
shop, 1 clothing works, 2 cabinet shops, 4 dry good stores, 4 
groceries and drug stores, 2 inns, 1 marble shop, 1 tin shop, 1 
tannery, 6 shoe shops, 4 blacksmith shops, 2 tailors, 2 saddlers, 
1 goldsmith, and about 600 inhabitants. There were 5 phy- 
sicians, 2 lawyers, and churches of the Presbyterian, Episcopal, 
and Methodist orders. The census of 1850, gave 101 houses, 
104 families, and 516 inhabitants. The lower fall is said to be 
62^ feet, and the total fall within a quarter of a mile about 85 
feet. The still water at the foot of the falls is, according to 
Broadhead's report, 66 feet above the St. Lawrence at Ogdens- 
burgh. From this place to Rossie, it is still water, and Hows a 
considerable extent of swamp, which in certain seasons have 
occasioned sickness along the borders. There being no further 
obstruction to the draining r of these drowned lands, than a reef 
of rocks adjacent to the old lead furnace at Rossie, the legislature 
was petitioned for the powers necessary for their removal. An 
act was accordingly passed on the 10th of April, 1850, appoint- 
ing A. Fisher and Abram Morrow of Theresa, and George W. 
Clark of Alexandria, commissioners to remove the obstructions 
in Indian River that were alledged to cause sickness by flowing 
lands in the towns of Theresa and Rossie. The damages caused 
by the removal of these obstructions, with the cost of removal 
were to be assessed upon the lands to be benefited. The work 
not being effected under this act, another was passed. 

By an act of April 12th, 1852, Archibald Fisher, of Theresa, 

* Mr. S. died at Plessis, August 1st, 1846, aged 79. 



246 Theresa. 

and Lawrence W. DeZeng of Redwood, in this county, and 
Abel P. Morse of Hammond were appointed commissioners to 
drain certain wet lands on Indian River in Rossie and Theresa, 
by removing a certain ledge of rocks at the smelting works to 
the depth of five feet, with other obstructions within three quar- 
ters of a mile below, including the dam at the Dayton Falls. 
Damages were to be assessed and paid by an assessment upon 
the lands to be benefited. Nothing has hitherto been accomplish- 
ed under the act, difficulties having occurred, it is said, in failing 
to agree with Mr. Parish upon the terms to be paid for the losses 
that will result to him in the water power in Rossie. 

A furnace was built near Mill Seat Lake, about one and a half 
miles from Redwood, in 1847, by Joseph C. Budd, Wm. Bones, 
and Samuel T. Hooker; the latter becoming an associate, while 
building. It was started in the fall of 1848, and run nine weeks, 
making two tons a day; a second blast was run in the spring of 
1849, of fourteen weeks, making three and a half tons a day, and 
a third blast in the spring of 1850, of fourteen weeks, making 
six tons a day. Since this time the furnace has laid idle. At 
the first two blasts the furnace was principally supplied by ore 
from the vicinity, with a little from the mines near the line of 
Philadelphia and Theresa. The third blast was with ores from 
the Kearney, Thompson, Sterling, and Shurtliff ore beds. The 
furnace is 30 feet square, 35 feet high, 8 feet 8 inches inside 
diameter, and cost with fixtures about $8000. It was supplied 
by the hot blast, and two tewels. No castings were made on the 
premises. 

The town is underlaid by primary rock and Potsdam sandstone, 
the former exhibiting a succession of hills and deep valleys, while 
the latter presents a more uniform surface. Accumulations of 
drift cover these rocks in many places, but the soil is generally 
fertile. The most remarkable feature in town is the number and 
romantic beauty of its lakes. In this and adjoining towns there 
are, within a radius of ten miles, nearly twenty lakes, of whieh 
Muskelunge, Red, Moose, Hyde, Mill Seat, Thompson, Sixbury, 
Grass, Mud, and Butterfield lakes are wholly or in part in this 
town. Most of them are surrounded on one or more sides by 
bold rocky shores, with deep bays, prolonged in woody swamps, 
and with rocky islands, densely covered with wood. These ro- 
mantic sheets of water, form delightful places of resort to the 
pleasure-seeking and sporting, where both fish and wild fowl 
afford attractive objects of pursuit, while the shores, overhanging 
cliffs, and tangled ravines, offer a perfect paradise to the geologist, 
and the mineral collector. The islands and shores of Muskelunge 
and Butterfield Lakes, in particular, are celebrated for the variety 
and number of their mineral productions. Most of these lakes are 



Watertown. 217 

apparently fed by springs, and one of them, (Thompson's Lake) 
has neither visible inlet nor outlet, yet abounds in fish. 

It is probable that the wild primitive portion of the county, 
may hereafter become one of interest for mining - purposes, as the 
geological features of the section do not differ from those of the 
adjoining town of Rossie, which has attained much celebrity for 
its lead mines. The indications of copper, and the well esta- 
blished fact of the presence of iron ore, favor this inference. 

Religious Societies. — The Presbyterian Church of Theresa, 
was formed May 8, 1825, at the house of Abraham Morrow, of 
four males and eight females. The clergy have been Wm. B. 
Stowe, Roswell Pettibone, Lewis M. Shepard, Wm. Chittenden, 
Leemand Wilcox, Revilo Cone, Harvey Smith, W. Chittenden, 
and Chas. W. Treadwell. A society was formed Dec. 22, 1835, 
with James Shurtliff, Anson Ranney, and Nathan M. Howe, 
trustees; and these, with the Methodists, built in 1836-8, a church, 
which was completed at a cost of $1,800, and dedicated by the 
Rev. R. Pettibone and — Peck, of the two denominations, in 
Sept. 1838. In 1849, the Methodists having sold their interest 
in the Union church, formed a society, and built a chapel, at a 
cost of about $2,200, which was completed and dedicated Sept. 
14, 1850. A class had been formed in 1827. 

St. James' Church, of Theresa (Episcopal), was organized July 
16, 1848, the place having been previously occupied by Rev. 
W. A. Fisk, as a mission, about a year. In 1850 there was re- 
ported a growing regard for the service, and an increase of 
numbers, and in the same summer was begun the erection of a 
Gothic church, after the plans of R. Upjohn, of N. Y., which was 
finished at a cost of $2,600, and consecrated Aug. 7, 1851. The 
incorporation of the church was obtained July 16, 1848, in which 
Horace Parker, and Daniel Parker, were named first wardens; 
and W 7 illet R. Jarvis, P. B. Salisbury, Franklin Parker, Thomas 
Robinson, A. M. Ferris, E. W. Lewis, S. L. George, and Joseph 
Faye\, vestrymen. The number of communicants was fifteen 
in 1850; nineteen in 1851; twenty-five in 1852. 

In erecting their edifice, this society received $250, from 
Trinity Church, N. Y., $125, from Hon. Wm. C. Pierrepont, and 
several sums of $25 each, from others in the county. Mr. Fish 
was succeeded by Rev. B. W. Whitcher, the present missionary. 

Watertown. 
This town was organized from Mexico, by the same act that 
created Champion, and other towns. March 14, 1800, the first 
town meeting being directed at the house of Asher Mdler, who 
resided near what is now the centre of the town of Rutland. In 
the general statute describing the several towns of the state, 
passed April 7, 1801, we find the following: 



248 Watertown. 

Leyden. " And all that part of the said county of Oneida, 
bounded easterly by Remsen, southerly by Steuben, and westerly 
by Camden, Turin, Lowville, Champion, Watertown, and the west 
bounds of the state; and northerly by the county of Clinton, shall 
be and continue a town by the name of Leyden." [This would era- 
brace the present town of Leyden, with the whole of Lewis Coun- 
ty, east of Black River, and all of Jefferson County, north of the 
same.] 

Watertown. " And all that part of the said county of Oneida, 
known and distinguished by townships, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, 
in a tract of land belonging to Henry Champion, and others, 
which said townships are bounded northerly by the Black 
River, westerly by Hungry Bay, so called, and southerly by 
townships Nos. 6, 7, 8, and 9, and easterly by township No. 4, 
all in the same tract, shall be and continue a town by the 
name of Watertown." 

The name of the town was, doubtless, suggested by the extra- 
ordinary amount and convenience of its water power, for which 
it will compare favorably with any place in the state. To this 
cause may be mainly attributed its early and rapid growth, and 
the superiority in wealth and business which it enjoys, far be- 
yond any other place in the county. 

By the erection of Rutland and Houndsfield, the original limits 
of the town have been reduced,-to their present. A lire, which 
consumed the early records of the town, has prevented us from 
obtaining many interesting facts, which the town book is said to 
have contained. The following list of supervisors is taken in 
part from the records of the board, which begin with the organ- 
ization of the county in 1S05. 

Supervisors.— 1805-8, Corlis Hinds; 1809-10, Tilley Richard- 
son; 1811, Wm. Smith; 18 12-9, Egbert Ten Eyck; 1820-6, Titus 
Ives; 1827, Jabez Foster; 1828, Titus Ives; 1829, Daniel Lee; 
1830-4, Henry H. Coffeen; 1835-7, Orville Hungerford; 1838- 
40, Joel Woodworth; 1841-2, O. Hungerford, 1843-5; John 
Winslow; 1846-7, Orville V. Brainard; 1848, Geo. C. Sherman; 
1849, Adviel Ely; 3S50 Kilborn Hannahs; 1851, O. Hunger- 
ford; 1852, Robert Lansing; 1853, David D. Otis. 

This town was surveyed by Benjamin Wright, in 1796, into 
fifty-two lots, of from 450 to 625 acres, having a total area of 
26,485 acres. A subsequent survey by Robert McDowell gave 
26,667 acres. In 1801 it was subdivided by Joseph Crary, 
under the direction of Silas Stow. A mortgage upon this town, 
in common with Low and Company's Purchase, was canceled by 
William and Ann Constable, and the President and Directors of 
the Bank of New-York, March 18, 1802. Upon the division of 
these towns, this, with Adams and Lowville, fell to the share of 



Watertown. 249 

Nicholas Low, under whom it has been settled. The first agent 
employed was Silas Stow, who was followed in 1804 by M. S. 
Miller, and in March, 1806, the latter was succeeded by Isaac W. 
Bostwick, Esq., all of Lowville. The lands in this town have 
long since been sold out, and nearly or quite settled up and con- 
veyed, as freeholds. It will be interesting to notice the remarks 
of Win. Wright on the survey of this town into lots, which are 
given with more detail than in his general report, from having 
surveyed the boundaries of the towns only, and which we have 
given on page 65. 

" Township No. 2, on Black River, is situated about three miles 
from the mouth of the river. This river is navigable for bateaux 
about one-and-three-quarters miles, but yet with considerable 
difficulty, it may be ascended two-and-a-half miles. The soil of 
this township is excellent in general, and, indeed, there is very 
little but what might be truly called first quality. Timber — ma- 
ple, beach, bass, elm, ash, butternut, and some pine, of excellent 
quality. 

There are excellent mill seats along Black River, where they 
are noted on the map, and many more, which it is impossible to 
note with certainty, as the river the whole distance on the town 
is very rapid, except at the north-east corner, for about three-quar- 
ters of a mile. The river is very rocky along the whole distance, 
and appears to be a bed of limestone rocks. Along the banks of 
Black River, opposite No. 2 township, is cedar and hemlock, 
and, in some places, white pine, for about twenty or thirty 
rods, and from thence it rises to very handsome land, and tim- 
bered with maple, bass, beech, &c. 

At the north-west corner is some flat rock, which lies about 
eight inches under the surface, and which is full of large cracks, 
open about ten or twelve inches." 

Of the lots upon which the village of Watertown has been 
built, he remarked: 

7. "This is a very good lot, and has excellent mill seats on the 
river, without expensive dams, and with the greatest safety to 
the mills. 

8. This is a very good lot, and is well timbered; has fine mill 
seats, and land of the first quality; some few stone and some pine 
timber. 

9. (Above village.) This is an excellent lot, some beautiful 
land along the east line, and some pine timber on the south; some 
maple, beech, bass, elm, and iron wood. 

10. (Corner lot.) This is an excellent lot; has a fine flat along 
the beach, which is very fine soil." 

Settlements commenced in Watertown, in March, 1800, at 
17 



250 Watertown. 

which time Henry Coffeen,* and Zachariah Butterfield, having 
the fall previous visited the town and purchased farms, removed 
with their families from Schuyler, Oneida County, and began 
improvements on the site of Watertown Village. Coffeen was the 
first to arrive, having penetrated from Lowville through the woods, 
with his family and household goods drawn on an ox sled. He 
had purchased parts of lots 2, 3, 13, 21, and 165 acres on the 
westerly part of lot No. 7, now covered by Watertown Village. 

He erected his hut on the ground just west of the Iron Block, 
a»d Butterfield settled on the spot now covered by the Merchants' 
Exchange, newly erected on the corner of Washington Street 
and the Public Square. Oliver Bartholomew! arrived in town, 
in March, 1800, and settled one and a half miles from the present 
village of Brownville. Simeon and Benjamin Woodruff, and 
others visited the town, with the view of settlement, and in the 
ensuing winter but three families wintered in town, viz: Coffeen, 
Bartholomew, and Butterfield. The land books of Mr. Low 
show the following list of purchasers, of which there may be 
some who were not actual settlers. 

1799, May 16, John Whitney, 450 acres on lot 8, at $2-50 
per acre; this probably reverted. In Oct., E. Allen, Silas Alden, 
S. and B. Woodruff, Jas. Rogers, 0. Bartholomew, Thos. Delano, 
Elisha Gustin, Z. Butterfield. In 1800, Heman Pellit, Thos. and 
John Sawyer, John Blevan, Abram Fisk, Wm. Lampson, Joseph 
Tuttle, N. Jewett, J. Wait, Abram Jewett, Hart Massey, Joseph 
Wadley, Jonathan Bentley, J. Sikes, S. Norris, Chas. Galloway, 
Jonathan Talcott, Josiah Bentley, Frend Dayton, John Patrick, 
David BentTXuther Demming, Ephraim Edwards, Tilson Bar- 
rows, Thomas Butterfield, J. and L. Stebbins, Asaph Mather, 
Benj. Allen, E. Lazelle, Henry Jewett, Lewis Drury, S. Fay, 
— Stanley, James Glass, Ira Brown, W. P. and N. Crandall, 
Calvin Brown, Aaron Bacon, Bennet Rice, Thos. H. Biddlecom. 

During the following season, many of these persons, who were 
mostly from Oneida County, settled, and in 1802, Jonathan 
Cowent began the erection of a grist mill, at the bridge that 
crosses to Beebe's Island. The extraordinary water power which 
this place presented, afforded ground for the expectation, that it 
would become the centre of a great amount of business. The first 
deeds were given August 20, 1802, to Elijah Allen, Jotham Ives 

* A native of Vermont, but for several years a resident of Schuyler, 
Oneida County. 

t Deacon Bartholomew was born in Connecticut, October 20, 1757; served 
through the Revolution; settled in Oneida County in 1794, and died in Water- 
town, June 18, 1850. In 1803 he assisted in forming one of the first Baptist 
Churches in the County. 

J Cowen was a mill wright, and an uncle of Judge Eseck Cowen, of Saratoga 
County. He died near Evans' Mills, November 27, 1840, at the age of SO. 



Watertown. 251 

David Bent, Ezra Parker, William Parker, Joseph Tuttle, and 
Joseph Moors. 

During the first summer of the settlement, it being entirely 
impossible to procure grinding at any mills, nearer than Canada, 
a stump standing on the Public Square, a few rods east of the 
American Hotel, had been formed into a mortar, and with a 
spring pole and pestle attached, served the purpose of a grain 
mill to the settlement. This primitive implement, suggestive of 
rustic life, and the privations of a new colony, relieved the 
pioneers, in some degree, from the necessity of long journeys to 
mill, through a pathless forest. The hardships of this early pe- 
riod had a tendency to create a unity of feeling and sympathy 
from the strong sense of mutual dependence which it engendered, 
and which is recalled by the few survivors of the period, with 
emotions of gratitude, for the manifest mercies of Providence. 
These hardy adventurers were mostly poor. They possessed few 
of the comforts of life, yet they had few wants. The needful ar- 
ticles of the household were mostly made by their own hands, 
and artificial grades of society were unknown. The first death 
of the settlement is thus described by J. P. Fitch, in the preface 
of the first village directory, published in 1840: 

" Late at the close of a still sultry day, in summer, Mrs. I. 
Thornton, the wife of one of the young settlers, gave the alarm 
that her husband had not returned from the forest, whither he 
had gone in the afternoon, to procure a piece of timber. Imme- 
diately every man in the settlement answered to the call, and 
hastened to the place designated for meeting, to concert a plan 
for search. Here all armed themselves with torches of lighted 
pine knots, or birch bark, and calling every gun in the place into 
use for firing alarms, and signals, started out in small companies 
into the forest, in all directions. After a search of several hours, 
the preconcerted signal gun announced that the " lost was 
found." All hurried to the spot, and upon the ground where 
now stands the Black River Institute, crushed beneath a tree 
which he had felled, lay the lifeless body of their companion. He 
was laid upon a bier hastily prepared for the occasion, and con- 
veyed through the gloom of midnight, by the light of their torch- 
es, back to his house. What must have been the emotion of the 
bereaved young widow, when the mangled corpse of her husband, 
so suddenly fallen a victim to death, was brought in and laid 
before her! She did not, however, mourn alone. As the remains 
were borne to their last resting place — the first grave that was 
opened in Trinity Churchyard — it needed no sable emblems of 
mourning to tell of the grief that hung dark around every heart. 
Each one of the little company, as he returned from performing 
the last duties to his departed companion,/^ as if from his own 



252 Watertown. 

family one had been taken. A similar incident occurred a short 
time after, in the death of a child which was killed by the falling 
of a tree, on the present site of the court-house; thus designating 
with blood, as one can imagine, the location of the halls of Jus- 
tice, and Science, in our village, and consecrating the ground of 
each by a human sacrifice." 

In 1802 an inn was opened by Dr. Isaiah Massey, and settlers 
began to locate in every part of the town, which, in September 
of that year, numbered 70 or 80 families. A dam was built by 
Cowan in 1802, and in 1803, he got in operation a small grist 
mill. During two or three succeeding years, John Paddock, 
Chauncey Calhoun, Philo Johnson, Jesse Doolittle, William 
Smith, Medad Canfield, Aaron Keyes, Win. Huntington,* John 
Hathaway, Seth Bailey, Gershon Tuttle, and others, several of 
whom were mechanics, joined the settlement, and at a very early 
day, a school house was built on the site of the Universalist 
Church, which served also as a place of religious meetings. In 
1805, John Paddock and William Smith opened the first store in 
the place, their goods being brought from Utica in wagons. An 
idea may be had of the hardships of that period, compared with 
modern facilities, from the fact that in March, 1807, seventeen 
sleighs, laden with goods for Smith and Paddock, were 23 days 
in getting from Oneida County to Watertown, by way of Redfield. 
The snows were in some places seven feet deep, and the valleys 
almost impassable, from w 7 ild torrents resulting from the melting 
of snows. The winter had been remarkable for its severity, and 
the destructive spring floods. 

Many incidents connected with the early settlement of this 
town, have been published in the Jeffersonian, over the sig- 
nature of A Link in the Chain, which were written by Mr. 
Solon Massey, whose father, Hart Massey, we have frequent 
occasion to mention as a pioneer and prominent citizen of the 
county. We regret our inability to publish more extended ex- 
tracts from these interesting articles, but take the liberty of 
using the following, which will give some idea of the perils that 
surround the first settlers of a new country. 

Lost in the Woods. — To any person who realises what a 
dense howling wilderness this country was, at the time of its 
first occupation by our fathers, it will not be surprising that there 
were instances, rather frequent, of persons being lost in the 
woods. 

The natural divisions of hill and dale, or upland and lowland, 
in this comparative level country, afforded but few landmarks to 
the unlucky wight who happened to get at fault in his reckon- 

* Died at Watertown, May 11, 1842, aged 85. He was a native of Tolland, 
Ct. In 1784 he removed to N. H., and in 1804, to Watertown. 



Watertown. 253 

ings, and even those who were best acquainted with the natural 
scenery of the trackless forest, immediately surrounding our 
settlement, were sometimes compelled to experience the startling 
reality of being lost in the woods; which was indicated by find- 
ing themselves following a circle — coming round and round and 
round again, to the same starting point, in spite of all their ef- 
forts to follow out a continuous straight course. 

This liability to be lost was so well understood, that whenever 
any member of the family was longer away in the forest than 
was expected, the alarm was given, and a rally made of all the 
men and boys in the different settlements in the vicinity, and a 
general and systematic search instituted with preconcerted sig- 
nals. 

And yet the liability to get lost did not deter or prevent fre- 
quent intercourse with the woods. The forest was the " long 
pasture " where the cows lived in summer, and where they had 
to be hunted over long ranges of upland, or of swale and beaver 
meadow, as their fancy or necessity led them to forage for them- 
selves. It was the botanic garden where a long list of medicinal 
plants were found, which w 7 ere relied upon as preventives of 
the diseases that were incident to our new country, or as a sov- 
ereign balm for every wound with which we might be afflicted 
for the time being. It was the place for berrying for a great 
variety of fruits and berries in their season — the great range 
from which we hunted out our natural crooked scythe snaths, our 
crotched trees for harrows and cart tongues, our axe helves, ox 
yoke and ox bow timber, broom sticks, &c 5 &c; and, finally, it 
was the great hunting ground for a variety of wild game, with 
which to supply our tables with meat, in the absence of domes- 
tic animals, for food. Woods was the rule, clearings the ex- 
ceptions. 

One incident among a great many others, connected with be- 
ing lost in the woods, may be transcribed from the earliest tradi- 
tional history of our town, and which is something as follows: 

Capt. James Parker owned and occupied a large body of land 
(now a farm) on the Brownville road, at present occupied in part 
by his son James. He had a large family of sturdy boys, the 
oldest of whom, at the time our tradition dates, was fourteen to 
sixteen years of age. The old gentleman, like many others of 
our enterprising settlers, was clearing up a large farm, and, for 
the purpose of making the most out of his ashes, had small pot- 
ash works, where he worked them into potash or black salts. 

In the process of manufacture, it seems he wanted some hem- 
lock gum, and at the same time wanted some groceries from the 
little place ycleped a store here in the village. So handing the 
hero of our story a silver dollar, he bid him take his axe and a 



254 Watertown. 

bag, and on his way to or from the store to procure some gum. 
"With this errand and equipment he started, after dinner, on his 
way to this place; he proceeded as far as the foot of the Folts 
Hill (H. H. Coffeen's late residence), where, stretching away to 
the south was an abundance of hemlock timber, and intent on 
performing the hardest and most difficult part of his task first, 
and not wishing to risk losing the dollar, he struck his axe into 
a large tree and loosening a chip he carefully deposited the coin 
in the cavity between the loosened chip and the body of the tree 
for safe keeping, intending to come back to that starting point 
with his axe and bag, and leave them there in their turn, while 
he run up to the store and back. 

Well, after a while he found himself sufficiently provided with 
gum, and started off at a kind of Indian lope for the place where 
he had left the dollar, passing in his way a spring of water, up- 
on the surface of which was a thick yellow scum, resembling 
iron rust. On, on, on he traveled, sweating under his load, and 
"with the lurking suspicion that something was wrong, he didn't 
know what. After a good while, however, and when he knew 
he must have traveled more than any distance that could possi- 
bly have been between the last gum tree and the one containing 
his dollar, he made a full halt for the purpose of a reckoning. 
One tiling was very certain — that he had traveled faster coming 
back than when going, and had been longer about it. That had 
a bad look ! then he thought it curious there should have been 
three of those iron ore springs, looking so nearly alike ! And 
finally, the more he soliloquized the more he satisfied himself 
that he was lost. 

What added not a little to his perplexity was, that twilight 
was already spreading her mantle upon the forest. It would 
therefore be necessary for him to select where he would spend 
the night, so far as there was any choice of a sheltered place in 
the woods. He was not long in finding a large standing tree 
that afforded just the nook he wanted, between two roots that 
stood well out on either side, and having ensconced himself in a 
sitting posture, with his back against the tree, and the axe be- 
tween his knees, he prepared to face any danger that might offer, 
and to sleep away the long hours of night. He would have 
telegraphed the folks at home that he was safe, if he could. He 
hoped they would not be much alarmed. But they were though, 
and after sunset the old gentleman got uneasy and started out 
the way that he should come, just to meet him — if he was safe 
— but with a kind of presentiment, to succor him if in trouble. 
He kept on, occasionally stopping to listen, and sweating with 
apprehension, and imagining a whole catalogue of mishaps that 
might have befallen him — whether he had lost his way — or had 



Watertown. 255 

maimed himself with the axe — or a tree had fallen upon him — 
or, what was certainly possible, some ravenous wild beast had 
devoured him — all was a matter of painful doubt, fear, and un- 
certainty. 

It was not, however, until after he had reached the village, 
and found by enquiry that his boy had not been there, that his 
fearful forebodings of some horrid evil were confirmed. 

Giving the alarm here, and begging of the good people to ral- 
ly quick and meet such persons as he should succeed in obtain- 
ing from Brownville, he hastened home in such a state of mind 
as can be better imagined than described. 

Until his arrival home, the family had not partaken very much 
of his own alarm, but now, what a sad and sorrowful company 
are they, as hurriedly they make the necessary preparation, with 
pine knots and birch bark for torches, horns and guns for sig- 
nals, and refreshments for the missing boy if he should be found, 
and for the kind neighbors who were in all probability to be in 
the woods all night. 

In due time, a large company of men and boys were assembled, 
and having organized into bands, with preconcerted signals, 
they struck off into the forest, while the mother and sisters of 
the missing boy sat in the open door of their lonely tenement 
to await the slow and tedious result, and so as to be in a situa- 
tion to catch the first sound of any signal guns announcing the 
fate of him they loved. 

Thus passed the first half of the night. The hunt proceeded 
with great fidelity, so that every rod of the ground was inspect- 
ed, the horns sounding at regular intervals of time, so as to pre- 
serve the line of march, or to catch the ear of the boy if perad- 
venture he was alive. 

The party had proceeded on carefully, until within a few rods 
of where the hero of the play kept his night vigil, before his 
dreams were disturbed and he sufficiently awake to know that 
it was for his benefit that the horns were sounded ; but when 
fairly awake, he was not long in vacating his quiet retreat, and 
arresting the further progress of the search, by presenting him- 
self in propria personce, with his axe on his shoulder and gum 
bag under his arm, before the satisfied cavalcade. 

Bang! bang! bang! rung out in quick succession upon 
the night air, reverberating to each extremity of the long line 
of weary hunters, the preconcerted signal, which notified the 
quick ear of the listening mother and sisters that Ellick was 
safe. There was more joy manifested that night over the boy 
that was found than over all them that went not astray. 

A Link in the Chain. 



256 Watertown. 

A Man shot by his Friend. — In the fall of 1801, there was 
a man, whose name was Dayton, who obtained a contract for a 
piece of land, lying south of the road to Brownville, as you 
climb the Folts Hill. He built a small Jog house in the woods, 
near the present road, and was keeping bachelor's hall, through 
the months of September and October of that year, with no 
other companion than a young man who was brother to his wife. 
He was intending to remove his family here in the spring, but, 
as it turned out, he lacked the fortitude and courage which were 
requisite for pioneer life. 

While thus living, an event occurred, which, for the time be- 
ing, quickened the pulses of the entire community, and which 
seemed more like tragedy than any previous occurrence in our 
brief history. 

There was a project for a squirrel hunt, among the scattered 
inhabitants of the several neighborhoods, and Dayton and his 
brother-in-law were expecting to participate in the general war 
against the squirrels and other vermin, who were likely to get 
more than a fair proportion of the first corn crop ever cultivated 
in these wilds — though they themselves had no cornfields. And 
here we remark by the way, how unselfish men become, as soon 
as they get beyond the old settlements. Mutual dependence soon 
exerts a softening influence upon the human heart, and the sym- 
pathies flow out without stint as often as the sufferings present 
themselves for aid or sympathy. This, probably, is the clue to 
that proverbial happiness, which in all ages and in all countries, 
dates back to the pioneer settlements in a new country. 

With the purpose of having his gun in readiness for the ap- 
proaching hunt, Mr. Dayton took it down one evening, from its 
place over-head, and sitting down before the blazing fire, laid 
it across his knees, preparatory to taking off the lock and oiling 
its pinions, so as to insure a smart motion of the hammer spring. 
He was not aware that it contained a full charge of powder and 
shot, or that it was loaded at all; but carelessly held the muzzle 
towards his friend, who was sitting in the other corner of the 
fire-place, keeping up a cheerful light, by timely contributions 
of light, dry combustibles, to the open fire. It is probable that 
he pulled the trigger without thought or motive; but what was 
his horror and amazement, when his piece discharged, with a 
report that was almost deafening, filling the room with smoke, 
and when he heard his companion fall to the floor, exclaiming 
"/ am shot ! I am shot /" 

They had no light but the open fire, and the smoke was so 
thick and suffocating that no examination could be made. It 
was all uncertain, what the extent of the injury might be; but 
knowing that Doctor Isaiah Massey had recently arrived from 



Watertown. 257 

Vermont to share our fortunes with us, and that he was boarding 
at our village tavern, it was agreed that Dayton should find his 
way through the dark pine woods which intervened, and bring 
the doctor. 

My father had some corn collected from his field, and with the 
male members of his family — kind men and boarders — doctor 
included, was in the house (log barn), husking; and my mother 
was keeping her night vigils alone in the house, when her ear 
detected the quick, hurried step of Mr. Dayton, as he rushed into 
the door, exclaiming, " 1 have killed my brother, and want the 
doctor /" As soon as he was sufficiently composed to state his 
case understandingly, he was directed to the husking party, for 
the doctor, while my mother, as if by instinct, set herself about 
preparing some clean linen rags, for bandages and lint, and some 
tallow candles for lights, with which our young Esculapius was 
soon on his way, on horseback and alone, to answer to the first 
case of surgery and gun shot wounds which had presented itself 
in his pioneer practice. 

He was evidently a good deal flurried, as he struck into the 
woods in advance of his guide, to endeavor to thread his dubi- 
ous way; and he was frequently heard to say, afterwards, that it 
was the greatest trial his nerves had ever endured. 

For aught he knew (and in the circumstances of the case, as 
narrated by the affrighted Dayton, a thing quite probable), his 
patient was already dead, and stiffened in his gore, an object 
frightful enough, to be visited alone, by broad day light; how 
much more, in the dim light of any embers which might be left 
in that lonely house in the woods. 

His near approach to the house, which he after a while suc- 
ceeded in finding, did not alleviate his feelings much; for now, 
the case must be met, whatever may be its developments. The 
idea of stumbling over a dead man, in his efforts to strike a 
light, or of groping about the room in search of a mutilated hu- 
man being, was all his nerves would bear, and he trembled in his 
stirrups. 

He however grew ashamed of his fear, and, after listening a 
moment at the door, tapped gently for admittance : there was 
no answer. He lifted the latch and pressed his weight against 
the door, but it was fastened on the inside. He knocked again. 
" Who is there ?" said the young man. "The doctor." " Wait 
a minute and I will open the door," said he, as he crawled off 
his couch and proceeded to take away the barricade with which 
he had fastened the door. He apologized for the delay, by say- 
ing that he had heard that wolves were attracted by the smell 
of blood, and that finding himself bleeding pretty profusely, he 
had thought it prudent to fasten himself in. 



258 Watertown. 

It proved to be a case of no imminent clanger, after all. The 
charge of shot from the gun had penetrated the fleshy part of 
the thigh of the young man, and after a proper dressing, for 
which the forethought of my mother had amply provided them, 
the young doctor mounted his horse and returned to the village, 
where he soon succeeded in allaying the fears of the community, 
by his professional opinion that he would recover, with proper 
care. Ji Link in the Chain. 

A Wolf Story of Early Times. — In the brief history that 
I wrote out for your paper two or three weeks ago, from the 
early traditions of our town, describing a scene, which was 
almost a tragedy, between a Mr. Dayton and his brother-in-law, 
at the foot of the Folts Hill, on the Brownville road, I stated, 
that the ivounded man had taken the "precaution to fasten his 
door on the inside, so as to prevent the ingress of wolves who 
'might be attracted by the smell of blood, while Mr. Dayton was 
after the doctor. 

I know it is somewhat difficult for the present generation to 
comprehend the situation of peril in which scattering families 
were placed at that early day, or that there was any real and 
positive danger of molestation by the w r olves; and, therefore, I 
shall transcribe another incident, in the traditions of early men 
and early times, which will tend to correct any doubts upon that 
subject. 

The late Hon. Jotham Ives was among the early emigrants 
into this town. He arrived here in 1801, and located his home, 
where he lived to amass a large landed property, and where he 
died, recently, near the place called Field Settlement. 

In the fall of 1802, he had a number of hogs fattened, and at 
killing time he employed a Mr. Knowlton, an old, white-haired 
man of sixty years or more, who was somewhat skilled in butch- 
ering, to assist him. Knowlton lived about three-fourths of a 
mile from Mr. Ives, in the near neighborhood of the present 
residence of Mr. James Brintnall, where he had a little clearing, 
or what was perhaps more appropriately called, in backwoods 
phrase, a chopping, and which was surrounded by a temporary 
brush fence. Between himself and Mr. Ives there was no road; 
and nothing but a line of marked trees to designate the little 
footpath which meandered through the deep, dark, and in many 
places tangled forest, which stretched off almost interminably on 
either hand. 

The butchering over, and supper disposed of, it was agreed 
that there was time to cut up the pork, and Mr. Knowlton con- 
sented to stay and assist in doing so. At a late hour, the whole 
work was finally completed, and Mr. Knowlton was generously 



fVatertown. 259 

compensated for his valued services, in addition to which he was 
made welcome to a couple of the hogs' plucks, to carry home to 
his family. 

But as he was about to leave for home, Mrs. Ives suggested 
the hazard of passing through the woods, at that late hour, with 
the smell of blood upon his clothes, and invited him to stay all 
night; to which Knowlton answered, that he could not think of 
being away from his family all night, as they would be alarmed 
for his safety, being unable to account for his absence; that, as 
for the wolves, though they might prowl around his path, they 
would not dare to molest him. 

Now Mr. Ives was a man of great muscular power, and would 
not fear a regiment of wolves himself, and though he assured 
Mr. Knowlton that he might stay in welcome, yet he scouted the 
idea of clanger from the sneaking cowardly wolves; he advised 
him, however, that in case he should be followed by them, to 
leave the plucks for them to quarrel over, while he should hurry 
on home. 

The colloquy being ended, Knowlton finally took his leave 
with a pluck in each hand, and struck into the woods, to endea- 
vor to follow out his little foot path. He had not proceeded far, 
however, before a sharp and startling sound, a fearful howl, rang 
out upon the night air, evidently betokening the near neighbor- 
hood of a prowling wolf on his right, which was answered from 
another quarter, and then another, in quick succession, until the 
path, that he had traveled but a moment before, seemed to be 
alive with hungry seekers after blood. 

He had yet no fears for his personal safety, and had no thought 
of cowardice; but yet he confessed that there was something 
dismal in the thought of being alone and entirely unarmed, at 
such a time, and in such a place, groping and feeling his dubi- 
ous way in such close proximity to a pack of ravenous wild 
beasts; and he soon found himself quickening his pace, while 
ever and anon he instinctively cast a wistful eye over his shoulder, 
and into the recesses of the thick woods on either hand. 

It was not long, however, that any doubt remained about his 
being the object of their pursuit, as his quick ear detected the 
galloping movement of a troop of pattering feet on his track, 
and it was becoming more and more a question of interest with 
him how the chase would terminate. 

He hoped, when he reflected that he was nearing his own 
habitation every moment, and his path was becoming plainer, 
and he was able to make better progress. But the odds was 
with them, for they were lighter of foot, and could see a great 
deal better than he could in the gloom of. the forest; but, more 
than all, they were so many, and were mad with hunger, and 



260 Watertown. 

were becoming more and more desperate every moment. On, 
on, on, the old man strode, resolutely, and with a strength and 
speed which would have surprised him at any other time, even 
by daylight, but which seemed slow enough, now in the time of 
his extremity. 

If he could but keep them at bay a little longer, and until he 
could clear the dark woods and get the benefit of the compara- 
tively open light of his chopping, or lay his hand upon some 
strong hand spike, or sled stake, or billet of wood, he might still 
hope to defend himself successfully, or escape from their hungry 
jaws. Straining every nerve, he bounded onward with such agility 
as only desperation and love of life afford; but the distance between 
him and his pursuers was not lessened by all his efforts; and 
before he reached the brush fence that surrounded his peaceful 
home, he felt that his time had nearly come, when he bethought 
himself of the parting advice of his friend Ives. 

He acted upon the suggestion, and immediately hurled one of 
the plucks into their midst; in the next moment he was on the 
home side of his brush fence, and they were fighting over the 
paltry price with which he had purchased his own safety. It 
may be safely assumed that he did not wait to witness the result 
of the civil war which he had occasioned, but that as soon as 
possible he found himself on the inside of his rude domicil, with 
the door fastened on the inside. 

Mr. Knowlton lived many years after the event which I have 
narrated, and died a natural death; and the woods which were 
the scene of our story have long since been cleared away, and 
the wolves are only known as figuring in the history of the 
olden time. A Link in the Chain. 

In 1803, a bridge was built below the village near the court 
house, by Henry Coffeen and Andrew Edmunds, over which the 
state road afterwards passed, and in 1805 the dam was built 
below the bridge, at which, the same year, a saw mill was built 
on the north side, and in 1806 a grist mill by Seth Bailey and 
Gershom Tuttle. A saw mill was built on the Watertown side 
by R. & T. Potter, a little below, and a saw and grist mill soon 
after by H. H. Coffeen, since which time many mills have been 
erected along the river. 

It is a singular fact that the village of Watertown, in common 
with the whole county of Jefferson, while it vies in wealth and 
enterprise with the most favored portions of the state, owes very 
little if any thing to imported capital. In most instances the 
wealth now existing has been acquired on the spot, by those 
who at an early period were thrown upon their own immediate 
exertions for support, and from the ashes of the timber that 



Watertown. 261 

covered the land, and the first crops which the virgin soil yielded 
in kind profusion, they received that first impulse which, second- 
ed by industry, prudence, and sagacity, has not failed in bringing 
its reward. With a strong conviction that the place would at 
a future time become an important village, Jonathan Cowen, 
Henry Cofleen, Zechariah Butterfield, Jesse Doolittle, Med ad 
Canfield, Aaron Keyes, Hart Massey and Isaiah Massey, who 
owned property adjoining the present public square and Wash- 
ington street in Watertown, held, early in 1S05, an informal 
meeting, and agreed to give forever to the public for a public 
mall a piece of land twelve rods wide, and twenty-eight long, 
and another running south at right angles to this, nine rods wide, 
and about thirty-two long. They then directed to be made by 
John Simons, a surveyor, a map of the premises, which was 
done, and deposited in the town clerk's office, but this was after- 
wards lost. An attempt was subsequently made to resume the 
title, and sell portions of the public square, but the question 
having come into the courts, was decided by Judge Nathan 
Williams in favor of the public, as Mr. Cowen, the claimant, 
although he had never deeded land on the public square, yet he 
had acknowledged its existence, by bounding certain convey- 
ances upon it.* In the same year, the site of the court house 
was determined by the commissioners appointed by the governor 
for that purpose, not without the most active influences being 
used at Brownville, and it is said to have been located in its 
present site, at some distance below the business portion of the 
village, by way of compromise. 

Burrville, on a branch of Sandy Creek, derives its name from 
John Burr, and several sons,f who first settled here about 1802. 
The place was considered very valuable for its water power, and 
here the first mills in Watertown were erected in accordance with 
an agreement between Silas Stow, agent for Low, the proprietor, 
and Hart Massey, dated June 1st, 1801, by which they were to 
build during that season, a saw mill, and corn mill, to be owned 
equally between them. The latter was to furnish three acres of 
land and erect the mills, and the former to furnish provisions, 
irons, mill stones, and expenses generally, the expenses to be 
equalized at the end of building. They were accordingly built 
that summer, and soon sold to Mr. Burr. They proved highly 
useful to the surrounding country, whose settlement they greatly 
promoted. The frame of the grist mill is still used. 

Field's Settlement, in the west part of the town, adjoining 
Houndsfield, derives its name from Elijah Fields, from Woodstock, 
Vermont, who with a family of nine sons and three daughters, 

* See Paige's Chancery Reports, iv, p. 510. 

t Theodore Burr, a celebrated bridge builder, was a son of John Burr. 



262 PVatertown. 

mostly of mature years, and some of them with families, settled 
here in 1805. Jotham, Titus,* and Joel Ives, three brothers, had 
located in the vicinity four years previous. Near the centre of 
the town, Major Allen, Aaron Brown, Corlis Hinds, Tilley 
Richardson, Reuben Scott, James and Eli Rogers, Benjamin 
Green, and others, and near Burrville, the Hungerford families, 
Caleb and Nathaniel Burnham and many more. 

An act of 1808, directed 500 stand of arms to be deposited 
at Champion, the destination of which was by an act of March 
27th, 1809, changed to Watertown, and an arsenal erected in 
that year. The arsenal was built under the direction of Hart 
Massey, Esq., collector of the district of Sackets Harbor, at an 
expense of $l,940 - 99. It has given its name to the street on 
which it stands, which was previously called Columbia Street, 
and was maintained by the state as an arsenal, until sold under 
the act of April 9th, 1850. The brick of which it was built 
were furnished by Abraham Jewett, at a cost of $339 - 63; the 
stone were cut by Thaddeus Smith and Joseph Cook, ai a cost 
of $110 - S0, and the lime by David Stafford and Benjamin 
Goodale, at 22 cents per bushel. 

In Watertown as in other sections, the manufacture of potash 
formed the first means of realizing cash, and many paid in whole 
or in part for their lands by this means. In 1S06, $3,500; in 
1807, $6000; and in 1S08, $9000 worth of this staple was ex- 
changed, the market being at that time in Montreal. In 1810, 
the iirm of Paddock and Smith purchased 2800 barrels, 
averaging $40 per barrel, making for that period the enormous 
aggregate of $112,000. The embargo which preceded the war 
did not prevent but rather increased the trade, by the high prices 
that it created, but the declaration of war entirely prostrated 
that, and every other energy of the country, except that the 
military operations of that period required large supplies of 
provisions and forage for the armies on this frontier. At Water- 
town, bodies of troops were stationed for short periods, and the 
sick were often sent thither for that attendance which could not 
be secured at Sackets Harbor. In 1811, the citizens had adopted 
measures for securing the benefits of an academy, and erected on 
the sire of the First Presbyterian Church, a brick building for 
that purpose, which will be again mentioned in our account of 
academies. This building was used as a hospital for a consider- 
able time. 

Soon after the war, there occurred in this village an event 
which excited extraordinary interest throughout the country, and 
of which many accounts have been published, more or less ap- 

* Dr. Titus Ives died February 12th, 1847 of apoplexy, aged 69. Jotham 
Ives settled in 1800, and is said to have raised the first crop of wheat in town. 



Watertown. 263 

proximating to the truth, but none to our knowledge giving the full 
and correct details. Had the subject depended upon us alone, to 
give it publicity, it might have been properly passed over, as one 
of those events that should be forgotten, in charity to the memory 
of the dead, and feelings of surviving relatives, but as it has been 
so often repeated that we do not imagine it in our power to give 
it wider notoriety, and knowing that the public would expect a 
notice of the event, we have labored to procure a correct ver- 
sion. The narrative may effect a useful purpose, by exhibiting 
the extent to which one error leading to another will betray one, 
at the same time serving as an instructive lesson to warn 
against any deviation from the path of honor, or the listening to 
suggestions that compromise principle. 

Samuel Whittlesey, originally from Tolland, Ct, had removed, 
about 1807, to Watertown, and engaged in business as a lawyer. 
On the 12th of February, 1811, he received the appointment of 
district-attorney for the territory comprised in Lewis, Jefferson 
and St. Lawrence counties, and on the 9th of February, 1813, 
he was superseded by the appointment of Amos Benedict, who 
had preceded him. Events connected with this, led to some 
sympathy for him, and the office of brigade-paymaster, which 
had been tendered to Mr. Jason Fairbanks, was by him declined 
in favor of Whittlesey, and he, with Perley Keyes, became secu- 
rity for the honest discharge of the duties of the office. At the 
close of the war, a large amount of money being due to the 
drafted militia, for services on the frontier, Whittlesey went to 
New York, accompanied by his wife, to obtain the money, and 
received at the Mechanics' Bank in that city, $30,000, in one, 
two, three, five and ten dollar bills, with which he started to re- 
turn. At Schenectady, as was afterwards learned, his wife* re- 
ported themselved robbed of $8,700, an occurrence which great- 
ly distressed and alarmed him, but she advised him not to make 
it public at that moment, as they might otherwise better take 
steps that might lead to its recovery, and on the way home, she 
in an artful and gradual manner persuaded him, that if they 

* This vicious woman had got her husband embroiled in repeated difficulties 
in Connecticut, and for these he had been compelled to remove. During the 
war, Lieut. Col. Tuttle, being taken sick at Sackets Harbor, was sent to Wa- 
tertown and placed in Whittlesey's family for nursing. He grew worse, and 
died very soon after, under suspicious circumstances, and although he was sup- 
posed to have large sums of money, none was found. Mrs. Whittlesey, not 
long after, had money to let. Numerous anecdotes are related which prove her 
to have been exceedingly vain, penurious and vicious. With decided abilities, 
and a good education, she possessed a moral depravity, and evinced the absence 
of those virtues that adorn the sex, to a degree that has been seldom equalled. 
Her treatment to a domestic had been so barbarous as to call for the interfer- 
ence of the humane; her ostentatious airs disgusted whoever came into her 
presence, and her licentious tongue embroiled her neighborhood in quarrels. 



264 Watertown. 

should report the robbery of a part of the money, no one would 
believe it, as a thief would have taken the whole, if any. In 
short (to use a homely proverb), she urged that they might as 
well "die for an old sheep as a lamb" and keep the rest, as they 
would inevitably be accused of taking a part. Her artifice, en- 
forced by the necessities of the case, took effect, and he suffered 
himself to become the dupe of his wife, who was doubtless the 
chief contriver of the movements which followed. Accordingly, 
on his reaching home he gave out word that his money had been 
procured, and would be paid over as soon as the necessary pa- 
pers and pay-roll could be prepared. In a few days, having set- 
tled his arrangements, he started for Trenton, on horseback, with 
his portmanteaus filled, stopping at various places on his way, 
to announce that on a given day he would return, to pay to those 
entitled their dues, and in several instances evinced a careless- 
ness about the custody of his baggage, that excited remark from 
inn-keepers and others. On arriving at Billings' tavern, at 
Trenton, he assembled several persons to whom money was clue, 
and proceeded to pay them, but upon opening his portmanteau, 
he, to the dismay of himself and others, found that they had 
been ripped open, and that the money was gone! With a pitia- 
ble lamentation and well-affected sorrow he bewailed this rob- 
bery, instantly despatched messengers in quest of the thief, offer- 
ed $2,000 reward for his apprehension, and advertised in staring 
handbills throughout the country, in hopes of gaining some clue 
that would enable him to recover his treasure. In this anxiety 
he was joined by hundreds of others, who had been thus indefi- 
nitely delayed in the receipt of their needed and rightful dues, 
but although there was no lack of zeal in these efforts, yet no- 
thing occurred upon which to settle suspicion, and with a heavy 
heart, and many a sigh and tear, he returned home, and related 
to his family and friends, his ruin. As a natural consequence, 
the event became at once the absorbing theme of the country, 
for great numbers were effected in their pecuniary concerns by 
it, and none more than the two endorsers to the securities of 
Whittlesey. These gentlemen, who were shrewd, practical, and 
very observing men, immediately began to interrogate him, 
singly and alone, into the circumstances of the journey and the , 
robbery, and Fairbanks in particular, whose trade as a saddler 
led him to be minutely observant of the qualities and appear- 
ances of leather, made a careful examination of the incisions in 
the portmanteau, of which there were two, tracing upon pa- 
per their exact size and shape, and, upon close inspection, no- 
ticed pin holes in the margin, as if they had been mended up. 
Upon comparing the accounts which each had separately obtain- 
ed in a long and searching conversation, these men became con- 



Watertown. 265 

vinced that the money had not been stolen in the manner alleged, 
but that it was still in the possession of Whittlesey and his wife. 
To get possession of this money was their next care, and, after 
long consultation, it was agreed that the only way to do this, 
was to gain the confidence of the family, and defend them man- 
fully against the insinuations that came from all quarters, that 
the money was still in town. In this they succeeded admirably, 
and from the declarations which they made in public and in 
private, which found their way directly back to the family, the 
latter were convinced that, although the whole world were 
against them in their misfortunes, yet they had the satisfaction 
to know that the two men who were the most interested, were 
still by their side. To gain some fact that would lead to a 
knowledge of the place of deposit, Messrs. Fairbanks and Keyes 
agreed to listen at the window of the sleeping room of those 
suspected, which was in a chamber, and overlooked the roof of 
a piazza. Accordingly, after dark one would call upon the fam- 
ily and detain them in conversation, while the other mounted a 
ladder and placed himself where he could overhear what was 
said within, and although they thus became convinced that the 
money was still in their possession, no opinion could be formed 
about the hiding place. Security upon their real estate was de- 
manded, and readily given. 

A son of the family held a commission in the navy, and was 
on the point of sailing for the Mediterranean, and it was sus- 
pected that the money might thus have been sent off; to ascertain 
which, Mr. Fairbanks, under pretext of taking a criminal to the 
state prison, went to New York, made inquiries which satisfied 
him that the son was innocent of any knowledge of the affair, 
and ascertained at the bank the size of the packages taken. He 
had been told by Whittlesey, that these had not been opened 
when stolen, and by making experiments with blocks of wood 
of the same dimensions, they readily ascertained that bundles of 
that size could not be got through an aperture of the size reported, 
and that instead of a seven it required a nineteen inch slit in the 
leather to allow of their being extracted. Some facts were 
gleaned at Albany, that shed further light, among which it w r as 
noticed that Mrs. W. at her late visits (although generally very 
penurious in hertrades) had been very profuse in her expenses. 
After a ten-days' absence, Mr. F. returned; his partner having 
listened nights meanwhile, and the intelligence gained by eave 
dropping, although it failed to disclose the locality of the lost 
money, confirmed their suspicions. As goods were being boxed 
up at Whittlesey's house at a late hour in the night, and the 
daughters had already been sent on to Sackets Harbor, it was 
feared that the family would soon leave; decisive measures were 

18 



266 Watertown. 

resolved upon to recover the money, the ingenuity and boldness 
of which evince the sagacity and energy of the parties. Some 
method to decoy Whittlesey from home, and frighten him by 
threats, mutilation or torture, into a confession, was discussed, 
but as the latter might cause an uncontrollable hemorrhage, it 
was resolved to try the effect of drowning. Some experiments 
were made, on their own persons, of the effect of submersion of 
the head, and Dr. Sherwood, a physician of the village, was con- 
sulted on the time life would remain under water. Having 
agreed upon a plan, on the evening before its execution, they re- 
paired to a lonely place about a mile south of the village, screened 
from the sight of houses by a gentle rise of ground, and where 
a spring issued from the bank and flowed off through a miry 
slough, in w 7 hich, a little below, they built a dam of turf, that 
formed a shallow pool. It was arranged that Mr. Fairbanks 
should call upon Whittlesey, to confer with him on some means of 
removing the suspicions which the public had settled upon him, 
by obtaining certificates of character from leading citizens, and 
officers of the army,- and that the two were to repair to Mr. 
Keyes's house, which was not far from the spring. Mr. Keyes 
was to be absent repairing his fence, and to leave word with 
his wife, that if any one enquired for him, to send them into the 
field where he was at work. Neither had made confidants in 
their suspicions or their plans, except that Mr. Keyes thought 
it necessary to reveal them to his son, P. Gardner Keyes, then 
seventeen years of age, whose assistance he might need, in keep- 
ing up appearances, and in whose sagacity, and fidelity in keeping 
a secret he could rely. 

Accordingly, on the morning of July 17 (1815), Mr. Keyes, 
telling his wife that the cattle had broken into his grain, 
shouldered his axe, and went out to repair the fence which was 
thrown down, and Mr. Fairbanks called upon W T hittlesey, en- 
gaged him in conversation as usual, and without exciting the 
slightest suspicion, induced him to go up to see his partner, whom 
they found in a distant part of the field at work. Calling him 
to them, they repaired as if casually to the spring, where, after 
some trifling remark, they explicitly charged him with the rob- 
bery, gave their reasons for thinking so, and told him that if he 
did not instantly disclose the locality of the money, the pool be- 
fore him should be his grave. This sudden and unexpected 
charge frightened their victim; but with a look of innocence he 
exclaimed, " I know nothing of the matter." This was no sooner 
said, than he was rudely seized by Mr. Keyes and plunged head 
foremost into the pool, and after some seconds withdrawn. 
Being again interrogated, and assured that if the money were 
restored, no legal proceedings would be instituted; he again pro- 



Watertovon. 267 

tested his innocence, and was a second time plunged in, held 
under several moments, and again withdrawn, but this time insen- 
sible, and for one or two minutes it was doubtful whether their 
threats had not been executed; but he soon evinced signs of life, 
and so far recovered as to be able to sit up and to speak. Per- 
haps nothing but the certain knowledge of his guilt, which they 
possessed, would have induced them to proceed further; but they 
were men of firmness, and resolved to exhaust their resource of 
expedients, rightly judging that a guilty conscience could not 
long hold out against the prospect of speedy death. He was ac- 
cordingly addressed by Mr. Keyes in tones and emphasis of sober 
earnest, and exhorted for the last time, to save himself from being 
hurried before the tribunal of heaven, laden with guilt — to disclose 
at once. In feeble tones he reasserted his innocence, and was 
again collared and plunged in, but this time his body only was 
immersed. It had been agreed in his hearing, that Fairbanks 
(being without a family) should remain to accomplish the work, 
by treading him into the bottom of the slough, while Keyes was 
to retire, so that neither could be a witness of murder if appre- 
hended; and that on a given day they were to meet in Kingston. 
Keyes paid over about ninety dollars to bear expenses of travel, 
and was about to leave, when the wretched man, seeing these 
serious arrangements, and at length believing them to be an 
awful reality, exclaimed, "I'll tell you all I know about it!" 
Upon this, he was withdrawn, and when a little recovered, he 
confessed, that all but about $9,000 (which he now, for the first 
time, stated to have been stolen at Schenectady) would be found 
•either under a hearth, at his house, or quilted into a pair of 
drawers in his wife's possession. Mr. Keyes, leaving their 
prisoner in charge of his associate, started for the house, and was 
seen by his wife, coming across the fields, covered with mud, 
and, to use the words of the latter, " Looking like a murderer;" 
and although in feeble health, and scarcely able to walk, she met 
him at the door, and enquired with alarm, " What have you been 
doing?" He briefly replied, " We have had the old fellow under 
water, and made him own where the money is;" and hastily pro- 
ceeding to the village, related in few words to his friends, Dr. 
Paul Hutchinson, and John M. Canfield, the facts, and with them 
repaired to the house of Whittlesey. Seeing them approach, 
Mrs. Wliittlesey fled to her chamber; and on their knocking for 
admission, she replied, that she was changing her dress, and 
would meet them shortly. As it was not the time or place for 
the observance of etiquette, Mr. Keyes rudely burst open the 
door, and entering, found her reclining on the bed. Disregard- 
ing her expostulations of impropriety, he rudely proceeded to 
search, and soon found between the straw and feather bed, upon 



568 IVatertown. 

which she lay, a quilted garment, when she exclaimed, " You've 
got it! My God, have I come to this!" The drawers bore 
the initials of Col. Tuttle, who had died in that house, under 
very suspicious circumstances; were fitted with two sets of but- 
tons, for either the husband or wife to wear, and contained about 

thirty parcels of bills, labeled: "For my dear son C ,250 

of 5;" " For my dear daughter E , 150 of 3;" &c, amount- 
ing to $15,000 to her five children; the remainder being reserved 
for her own use. The garment also contained a most extraor- 
dinary document, which might be called her Will, and about 
which she expressed the most urgent solicitude, imploring that 
it might be destroyed, by the earnest appeal that, " You have 
children as well as me!" It was soon after published in the 
papers, and was as follows: 

" It is my last and dying request, that my children shall have 
all the money that is contained in the papers which have their 
names on, which is three thousand dollars for each; and let there 
be pains and caution, and a great length of time taken to ex- 
change it in. God and my own heart knows the misery I have 
suffered in consequence of it, and that it was much against my 
will that it should be done. I have put all that is in the same 
bank by it, that I had from prudence, and a great number of 
years been gathering up; and when I used to meet with bills on 
that bank in your possession, or when I could, I used to ex- 
change others for them, as I supposed it was the best, and would 
be the most permanent bank. You know the reason of your tak- 
ing this was, that we supposed that from the lock of the small 
trunk being broken, and the large one being all loose, and the 
nails out, that we were robbed on the road of $S,700. You 
know that I always told you, that I believed it was done in the 
yard, where you, as I told you then, put the wagon imprudently 
in Schenectady. Oh! how much misery am I born to see, 
through all your improper conduct, which I am .forced to con- 
ceal from the view of the world, for the sake of my beloved 
offsprings' credit, and whereby I have got enemies undeservedly, 
while the public opinion -was in your favor! But it fully 
evinces what false judgments the world makes. Oh! the God 
who tries the hearts, and searches the reins of the children of 
men, knows, that the kind of misery which I have suffered, and 
which has riled and soured my temper, and has made me appear 
cross and morose to the public eye, has all proceeded from you, 
and fixed in my countenance the mark of an ill-natured dispo- 
sition, which was naturally formed for loves, friendships, and 
all other refined sensations. How have I falsified the truth, that 
you might appear to every advantage, at the risk and ill-opinion 
of the sensible world towards myself, when my conscience was 
telling me I was doing wrong; and which, with everything else 



JVatertown. 269 

that I have suffered since I have been a married woman, has 
•worn rne down and kept me out of health; and now, oh! now, this 
last act is bringing me to my grave fast. I consented, because 
you had placed me in the situation you did. In the first place 
you were delinquent in the payment to government of eighteen 
or nineteen hundred dollars. Then this almost $9,000 missing, 
I found when you come to settle, that you never couid make it 
good without sacrificing me and my children, was the reason I 
consented to the proposal. I did you the justice to believe that 
if the last sum had not been missing, that you would not have 
done as you did; but I am miserable! God grant that my dear 
children may never fall into the like error, that their father has, 
and their poor unfortunate mother consented to! May the Al- 
mighty forgive us both, for I freely forgive you all you have 
made me suffer." 

The money being counted, and to their surprise found to em- 
brace a part of the sum supposed to be stolen, Mr. Keyes went 
back to release Whittlesey. The latter, meanwhile, had related 
the circumstances of the robbery, and anxiously enquired whether, 
if the whole was not found, they would still execute their pur- 
pose; to which Mr. Fairbanks replied in a manner truly character- 
istic, "that will depend on circumstances." No one was more sur- 
prised than Whittlesey himself, to learn that most of the money 
was found, and that he had been robbed at Schenectady by his 
own wife. He begged hard to be released on the spot, but it 
was feared he would commit suicide, and he was told that he 
must be delivered up to the public as sound as he was taken, and 
was led home. The fame of this discovery soon spread, and it 
was with difficulty that the villagers were restrained from evin- 
cing their joy by the discharge of cannon. Mr. W r hittlesey 
was led home, and placed with guard in the room with his wife, 
until further search; and here the most bitter criminations were 
exchanged, each charging the other with the crime, and the 
wife upbraiding the husband with cowardice, in revealing the 
secret. The guard being withdrawn in the confusion that ensued, 
Mrs. Whittlesey passed from the house, and was seen by a person 
at a distance, to cross the cemetery, of Trinity church, where on 
passing the grave of a son, she paused, faltered, and fell back, 
overwhelmed with awful emotion; but a moment after, gathering 
new energy, she hastened on, rushed down the high bank near 
the ice cave, and plunged into the river. Her body was found 
floating near the lower bridge, and efforts were made to recover 
life, but it was extinct! 

W T ith a remarkable familiarity with death, she had years be- 
fore prepared her own shroud, and chosen the text* and psalm 

* II Corinthians, v, 1 . 



270 fVatertown. 

she wished to have used at her funeral; but the Rev. Mr. Banks, 
who officiated on the occasion, not deeming these applicable to 
the case, selected the sixth commandment, for a text, and a 
hymn in Watt's Collection, commencing with, 

" Death, 'tis a melancholy day." 

She was buried beside her son, and near Colonel Tuttle, whom 
she is supposed to have poisoned. Her husband remained in 
town nearly a year, and then removed to Indiana, where he 
afterwards became a justice, and a county judge, and by an ex- 
emplary life won the respect of community; and although the 
details of this affair followed him, yet the censure of opinion 
rested upon the wife. He has been dead many years. The 
sympathies of the public were not withheld from the children of 
this family, who were thus cast penniless and disgraced upon the 
world. Many details connected with the affair we have not 
given; among which were several attempts to throw suspicion 
upon innocent parties by depositing money on their premises, 
writing anonymous letters, &c, which serve but to aggravate 
the crime, by betraying the existence of a depravity on the part 
of the chief contriver in the scheme, which has seldom or never 
been equaled. The marked bills, amounting to $400, had been 
dropped on the road to Sackets Harbor, and were found by Mr. 
Gale, who prudently carried them to a witness, counted and 
sealed them, and after the disclosure brought them forward. Mr. 
Whittlesey stated that he expected some one would find and use 
the money, when he could swear to the marks, and implicate 
the finder. Mr. Gale, upon hearing this, was affected to tears, 
and exclaimed: " Mr. Whittlesey, is it possible, you w T ould have 
been so wicked as to have sworn me to state prison for being 
honest!" 

Congress, on the 11th of January, 1821, passed an act di- 
recting the secretary of the treasury to cancel and surrender the 
bond given by Whittlesey, and endorsed by Fairbanks & Keyes, 
on condition of the latter giving another, payable with interest 
in two years. 

To give interest to this account, we offer the portrait of one 
of the parties, engraved from a' recent daguerreotype; and in the 
appendix will insert sume anecdotes illustrative of the peculiar 
characteristics of Mr. Fairbanks, whose public life and promi- 
nent business operations have made him extensively known. 

The village of Watertown was incorporated April 5, 1816. 
The act provided for the election of five trustees, who were to 
possess the powers and immunities usually vested in similar cor- 
porations. These extended to the formation of a fire department, 
the construction of water works, regulation of markets, streets, 




Engrave c m a.Daguerteoty? c 




<&o-&^>^ 







Watertown. 273 

&c.; the building of ha)' scales, supervision of weights and 
measures, and whatever related to the preservation of health, or 
the suppression of nuisances. Three assessors, a treasurer, col- 
lector, and five fire wardens were to be also elected. Fines, not 
exceeding $'25, might be imposed. The annual election was to 
occur on the first Monday of May, and the trustees were to choose 
one of their number for president, and some proper person for 
clerk. The president, with the advice of the trustees, was to 
appoint a company, not exceeding twenty, of firemen, and to 
enforce, in the name of the trustees, the ordinances and regula- 
tions which they might establish. The village of Watertown 
was constituted one road district, and exempted from the jurisdic- 
tion of the town commissioners. 

On the 7th of April, 1820, an act was passed altering the 
bounds of the village, and amending the charter; and on the 17th 
of April, 1826, and 26th of April, 1831, the charter was still 
further amended. On the 22d of March, 1832, the trustees were 
empowered, by an act, to borrow a sum not exceeding $2,000, 
to improve the fire department of the village, and supply it with 
water to be used in fires, and April 21, 1832, the doings at an 
election were confirmed. An act was passed April 23, 1835, 
granting additional powers to the trustees, repealing former pro- 
visions of the charter, and authorizing the erection of a market. 
The village Charter was amended by an act of April 16, 1852, 
by which its bounds were increased, the district included directed 
to be divided into from five to seven wards. A president, three 
assessors, a clerk, treasurer, collector, and two police constables, 
were to be elected annually, and one trustee to each ward, of which 
there are five. Elections are held on the first Monday of March, 
and the powers and duties of the trustees were much extended. 

The first village election was held at the house of Isaac Lee, 
in May, 1816, David Bucklin, Esq., presiding, and the following 
officers were chosen: Timothy Burr, Egbert Ten Eyck, Olney 
Pearce, Marianus W. Gilbert, and Norris M. Woodruff, trustees; 
Reuben Goodale, W 7 illiam Smith, Orville Hungerford, assessors; 
Micah Sterling, treasurer; Seth Otis, collector; Jabez Foster, 
Samuel Watson, Jr., Rufus Backus, William Fletcher, Joseph 
Henry, fire wardens. 

Trustees of the village of Watertown since its incorporation. 
{The one elected president is placed first in Italics.) 

1816, Timothy Burr, Egbert Ten Eyck, Olney Pearce, Mari- 
anus W. Gilbert, Norris M. Woodruff. 

1817, Isaac Lee, Silas Marvin, Wra. Tanner, Andrew Newell, 
Jason Fairbanks. 

1818, Orin Stone, Wm. Smith, Chauncey Calhoun, Reuben 
Goodale, Dyer Huntington. 



274 Watertown. 

1819, William Smith, Orin Stone, Chauncey Calhoun, Reuben 
Goodale, Dyer Huntington. 

1820, Egbert Ten Eyck, Marianus W. Gilbert,* David W. 
Bueklin, Andrew Newell, N. M. Woodrutf. 

1821, Olney Pearce, Andrew Newell, James Q. Adams, Charles 
E. Clarke, David W. Bueklin. 

1822, David W. Bueklin, Calvin McKnight, Marianus W. 
Gilbert, Dyer Huntington, Adriel Ely. 

1823, Orville Hungerford, Dyer Huntington, John Sigourney, 
James Q. Adams, Loveland Paddock. 

1824, Orville Hungerford, Dyer Huntington, Silas Marvin, 
John Sigourney, Norris M. Woodruff. 

1825, Olney Pearce, Noah W. Kiniston, Marianus W. Gil- 
bert, Andrew Newell, John SafFord. 

1826, Olney Pearce, Marianus W. Gilbert, Noah W. Kiniston, 
Andrew Newell, John SafFord. 

1827, Norris M. Woodruff, Marianus W. Gilbert, Orin Stone, 
William D. Ford, Chauncey Calhoun. 

1828, Norris M. Woodruff, Chauncey Calhoun, Loveland 
Paddock, Jeremiah Holt, John Sigourney. 

1829, Norris M. Woodruff, Dyer Huntington, John Sigourney, 
Robert Lansing, Isaac H. Bronson. 

1830, Norris M. Woooruff, Dyer Huntington, John Sigourney, 
Robert Lansing, Isaac H. Bronson. 

1831, Norris M. Woodruff, Dyer Huntington, Nathaniel Wi- 
ley, Otis Colwell, Rufus Sherman. 

1832, Jason Fairbanks, Alanson Tubbs, Isaac H. Bronson, 
Milton Carpenter, Marianus W. Gilbert. 

1833, Orville Hungerford, Marianus W. Gilbert, John Clarke, 
Philo C. Walton, Henry H. Coffeen. 

1834, Orville Hungerford, Henry H. Coffeen, Marianus W. 
Gilbert, Nathaniel Wiley, Luther G. Hoyt. 

1835, Orville Hungerford, Henry H. Coffeen, Marianus W. 
Gilbert, Nathaniel Wiley, David D. Otis. 

1836, Jason Fairbanks, Hiram Holcomb, Frederick W. White, 
Robert Lansing, Marianus W. Gilbert. 

1837, Dyer Huntington, Marianus W. Gilbert, Daniel Lee, 
Reuben Goodale, Lewis R. Sandiforth. 

1838, Dyer Huntington, Reuben Goodale, Daniel Lee, Mari- 
anus W. Gilbert, John C. Lasher. 

1839, David D. Otis, Freeman Murray, Marianus W. Gilbert, 
Otis Colwell, William H. Robinson. 

1840, George C. Sherman, Orville Hungerford, Otis Colwell, 
William H. Robinson, Freeman Murray. 

* Appointed December 1, 1S20, in place of Ten Eyck, resigned. 



Watertown. 275 

1S41, William Wood, George Burt, Orville Hungerford, 
Stephen Boon, Jr., William Ragan. 

1842, William H. Robinson, Loveland Paddock, Calvin 
Wright, Kilborn Hannahs, Peter S. Howk. 

1843, William H. Robinson, Daniel Lee, John D. Crowner, 
Loveland Paddock, Nathaniel Wiley. 

1844, Benjamin Cory, Daniel Lee, Dyer Huntington, David 
D. Otis, Winslow Partridge. 

1845,Dyer Huntington, G. C. Tony, George Burr, C. Col well, 
Orville V. Brainard. 

1846, Orville V. Brainard. C. Colwell, Horace W. Woodruff', 
F. \V. Hubbard, John F. Hutchinson. 

1847, Stephen Boon, John Sigourney, Gilbert Woodruff, H. 
W. Woodruff, 1. Munson. 

1848, Peter S. Howk, John C. Lasher, Nehemiah Van Ness, 
H. W. Woodruff, Stephen Boon. 

1849, David D. Otis, Nathaniel Farnham, Calvin Auborn, 
J. H. Napier, Peter Haas. 

1850, David D. Otis, C. Colwell, Pierson Mundy, N. Farnham, 
Marcus Hungerford. 

1851, Joshua Moore, Jr., Peter Horr, K. Hannahs, John H. 
Napier, Isaac H. Fisk. 

1852, Kilborn Hannahs, C. H. Wright, 0. V. Brainard, I. 
Munson, J. M. Clark. 

1853, Joseph Muttin, president; William A. Loomis, Benja- 
min Cory, Abner Baker, Charles Clarke, PhiloL. Scovil, trustees. 

The trustees, at their first meeting, divided the village into 
five wards, to each of which a fire warden was to be assigned, 
and each was to be supplied with four ladders. A series of 
regulations providing against fires and making provisions for 
the several objects named in the charter was also adopted. A 
fire company was organized May 28th, 1817, and at a meeting 
of freeholders called for the purpose on the 10th of June, the 
sum of $200 was voted for the purchase of a lire engine. 
February 6th, 1818, $500 voted to assist in building a bridge 
near Newel's brewery. May 4th, 1818, a committee of three 
appointed to confer with the supervisors concerning the purchase 
of a bell for the court house. On the 22d of May, 1821, a plan 
of supplying the village with water was discussed, and on sub- 
sequent occasions action was taken towards the erection of reser- 
voirs near the factory, but this measure finally failed. On the 
27th of October, 1823, a plan for a cemetery, previously pur- 
chased of H. Massey, was accepted, and on the 6th of December, 
1825, the lots, one rod square each, were balloted for, each tax- 
able resident being entitled to one share. To non residents, lots 
might be sold, the proceeds to be applied to the building of a 



278 Watertown. 

tomb. Four lots were to be drawn, one for each of the clergy 
of the village. A hook and ladder company was voted to be 
formed, in May, 1826. June 14th, 1828, $150 voted for im- 
proving the public square, and $50 for boring for water in the 
public well. On the 3 1st of December following, $50 were 
appropriated to aid in digging for water on Factory Square. 
At the annual meeting in 1829 the proceeds of licenses in the 
1st ward were applied towards procuring water for the village. 
On the 21st of May, $200 were voted for boring for water. In 
pursuance of this object, an Artesian well was commenced on the 
public square, and had been sunk many feet, when the work 
was stopped by the maliciously dropping of a drill into the hole 
with the steel point upwards. 

At a meeting held November 24th, 1831, the inhabitants ad- 
vised the trustees to purchase a new fire engine, and the sum of 
$50 was directed to be drawn out of the village treasury, and 
presented to Messrs. Barrett & Parker, for their prompt and ef- 
ficient exertions with their new engine at the late fire in the 
village. A fire company to be attached to the engine, belong- 
ing to the Jefferson Cotton Mills, was formed August 6th, 1832. 
Dyer Huntington was at the same time appointed chief engineer, 
and Adriel Ely assistant engineer of the fire department. 

On the 19th of June, 1832, a special meeting of trustees was 
held to adopt measures to prevent the spread of the Asiatic 
cholera, which was at that time spreading terror throughout 
the country. Sobriety, regularity, temperance, and cleanliness 
were recommended as the most efficient preventives of the dis- 
ease. One trustee, one fire warden, one physician, and three 
citizens, were appointed in each ward to take efficient measures 
for enforcing sanitary regulations. A special meeting of citizens 
convened at Parson's Hotel, on the next day, and after the read- 
ing of several papers from Albany, Ogdensburgh, and Prescott, 
a " committee of health," consisting of twelve persons, was 
appointed, and Drs. Trowbridge, Crawe, Wright, Green, Good- 
ale, Sykes, Bagg, and Safford, were named as a committee to 
consult with the health committee. The state and national legis- 
latures were petitioned for a law preventing the landing of 
foreigners, and for powers similar to those given to cities. The 
surrounding towns and villages were invited to cooperate in the 
adoption of sanitary measures. Three days after the passage of 
the act of June 22d, for the preservation of the public health, 
the following persons, viz: Marianus W. Gilbert, Levi Beebee, 
John Sigourney, Orville Hungerford, William Smith, Norris M. 
Woodruff, and Peleg Burchard, were appointed a board of 
health, and Dr. I. B. Crawe, was elected health officer. 

On the 3d of May, 1833, a board of health was again ap- 



Watertown. 217 

pointed, consisting ot" William Smith, Levi Beebee, P. Bur- 
chard, N. M. Woodruff, and John Sigourney; Dr.»I. B. Crawe, 
health officer. 

On intelligence being received from Montreal of the reap- 
pearance of the cholera, a special meeting of trustees was called, 
August 1st, 1834, and a new board of health appointed. 

In compliance with an act of 1832, revived by the legislature, 
April 16th, 1849, and in pursuance of the proclamation of the 
governor, the trustees of Watertown, June 19th, 1849, organized 
a board of health, to adopt sanitary regulations as preventives 
of the Asiatic cholera, then ravaging some sections of the Union. 

A census of Watertown, taken in April 1827, gave 1098 males, 
and 941 females, a gain of 500 in two years. There were 321 
buildings, of which 224 were dwellings; 3 stone churches 
(Methodist, Universal ist, and Presbyterian); court house, and 
jail; clerk's office; arsenal; 1 cotton factory with 1300 spindles, 
another (Beebee's) then building; 1 woolen factory; 3 paper 
mills; 3 large tanneries; 3 flouring mills; 1 furnace; 1 nail 
factory; 2 machine shops; 2 fulling mills; 3 carding machines; 
2 distilleries; 1 ashery; 2 pail factories; 1 sash factory; 2 chair 
factories; 1 hat factory; 4 wagon shops; 2 paint shops; 4 cabi- 
net and joiner shops; 8 blacksmiths; 4 tailor shops; 7 shoe 
shops; 3 saddle and harness shops; 8 taverns; 15 dry good 
stores; 2 hardware stores; 2 hat stores; 2 book stores; 2 leather 
stores; 1 paint store; 2 druggists; 2 jewelers; 2 weekly papers; 
7 public schools; 6 physicians, and 10 lawyers. 

In 1829, an association was formed for boring for water on 
Factory Square, and a hole two and a half inches in diameter 
was drilled to the depth of 127 feet, when water was obtained 
that rose to the surface, and having been tubed, has since dis- 
charged (except in very dry seasons, when it requires pumping) a 
copious volume of water, slightly charged with sulphur and iron. 
The cost of the work was about $800. On Sewall's Island, a 
similar well was bored, which at eighty feet discharged water 
and inflammable gas; but upon being sunk further, these were 
both lost. 

An act was passed April 10, 1826, incorporating the Water- 
town Water Company, but nothing was effected. 

An act was again passed April 11, 1845, by which L. Pad- 
dock, Timothy Dewey, F. W. Hubbard, N. M. Woodruff, and O. 
Hungerford, and their associates, were incorporated as the Water- 
town Water Works Company, but these did not attempt the 
erection of water works. 

On the 22d of March, 1853, Loveland Paddock, George C. 
Sherman. Isaac H. Fisk, William H. Angel, and Howell Cooper, 
were incorporated as the Water Commissioners of the Village 



278 Watertown. 

of Watertown; who were to be divided into classes, so that one 
should t>e annually elected, commencing on the first Monday of 
June, 1S56. Before entering upon their duties, they were to 
give a joint bond of $60,000, and were empowered to borrow, on 
the credit of the village, a sum not exceeding $50,000 for a 
term of not less than twenty, nor more than thirty years, paya- 
ble in five installments, with seven per cent interest, for the 
purpose of erecting water works in the village. The above 
commissioners, soon after their appointment, contracted with J. 
C. Wells for a pump house and reservoir; the latter to be 150, 
by 250 feet, at the water line, and 12 feet deep; to be lined with 
clay, covered with gravel, and divided by two walls six feet 
apart; the vacancy being filled with layers of gravel and sand, 
through which the water is filtered in passing from the receiving 
to the distributing side of the reservoir. The pump house, lo- 
cated on Black River, near the cotton factory, in the upper part 
of the village, was to be 28 by 40 feet, and 17 feet high, entirely 
fire proof. The machinery was contracted for by Hoard &, 
Bradford; and the pipes, from the pumps to the reservoir, 
and the main distributing pipes, were furnished and laid by J. 
Ball & Co., of New York. They are of sheet iron, lined and 
coated with cement, and warranted to last five years. For the 
reservoir, the commissioners purchased of John C. Sterling a 
lot of six acres, about a mile south-east of the village, on the 
brow of a limestone ridge, 180 feet above the public square. 
The site is beautiful and commanding, and when the improve- 
ments contemplated here are completed, the place will become 
one of great resort from the village. A lot, of twenty acres, 
has, with characteristic liberality, been presented to the village 
by Mr. Sterling, adjoining the reservoir, and designed for a 
public park. It was coupled with no condition, except that 
it should, within a given time, be enclosed and laid out as a 
public ground. This, the village authorities have engaged to 
do; and should the future growth of the place be such as present 
prospects warrant, the premises will, ere long, become an attract- 
ive appendage to what must soon become the City of Watertown. 

The extraordinary prices to which cotton fabrics had arisen, 
led to the formation of the Black River Cotton and Woolen 
Manufacturing Company, which was formed December 28, 
1813, with a capital of $100,000, in 1000 shares. The following- 
persons signed the original articles; the first four being trustees. 
Hart Massey was named a trustees, but was not a subscriber to 
the articles: 

William Smith, Jahez Foster, Marinus W. Gilbert, John 
Paddock, Egbert Ten Eyck, Amos Benedict, William Tanner, 
Jason Fairbanks, Perley Keyes. 



Watertown. 279 

This company purchased, for $250, the right of way for a road 
from the public square to the present site of Factory Village; 
and of Ezekiel Jewett, for $ 10,000, a tract of 400 acres, with 
the adjacent water power; and here, during the summer of 1814, 
they erected a dam, and a stone building (still standing) for a 
cotton factory, which was stocked with machinery, mostly made 
in Hudson, and commenced spinning in November. There was, 
at this time, in the country, considerable prejudice against the 
use of machinery, in place of hard labor; and Spafford, in the Ga- 
zetteer of New York, speaking of these, says: "The automaton 
habits, and the immoral tendencies of these establishments, will 
be better understood fifty years hence," This period has not 
quite elapsed, but the revolution which mechanical improvements 
have since wrought in the cheapness, elegance, and comfort which 
their products diffuse among the humbler classes, is a triumphant 
vindication of the useful arts. The cost ot this factory amounted 
to $72,000. The principal care of erecting, and setting it in 
operation, was entrusted to Mr. Smith; and in three years the 
company stopped work. It was afterwards hired, and run three 
years longer, and subsequently sold for $7,000; and has since 
passed through several hands. 

Perhaps no private enterprise ever gave a stronger impulse to 
the growth of Watertown, than the erection of the Jefferson 
Cotton Mills, and no single calamity was felt more severely than 
their loss. They were erected by Levi Beebee, from Coopers- 
town, a native of Canaan, Connecticut, who came into the 
county in March, 1S27, to select a location for a factory, and 
had some idea of locating at Brownville, having at that place 
received proposals for the sale of the hydraulic privileges 
on the south side of the river. While this subject was pending, 
he became acquainted with the rare natural facilities for manu- 
facturing purposes which Cowen's Island,* in the village of 
Watertown affordtd, and the limitation of his offers at Brown- 
ville having expired, he effected, through the agency of William 
Smith, Esq., of Watertown, the purchase of the small proper- 
ties which comprised most of the island, and from Mr. Le Ray, 
120 acres on the north bank of the river opposite, for the nomi- 
nal sura of $1500. Early in the spring he commenced the 
erection of a large and substantial stone building, which was 
completed and the water wheels and shafting inserted under the 
superintendence of Mr. Smith, before December of the same 

* Since called Becbcc's Island. It formed a part of Jonathan Cowen's pur- 
chase, and is said to have been offered by him to Jonathan Baker at an early 
period for $10. The latter offered $5, but, being unable to agree, the bargain 
failed. They little dreamed that the little island would, within so short a 
period, be worth more than their united fortunes. [Link in the Chain, by 
Solon Massey.] 



280 Watertown. 

year. The building was 250 by 65 feet, three stories high, 
besides a high basement with a projection before and behind, 
and connected with this were several offices and store rooms, and 
in the vicinity two large and massive stone buildings for boarding 
houses. Under the main building, two wheel pits, each 24 by 32 
feet and 24 feet deep were blasted in the rock, and a canal 10 feet 
wide, 6 deep, and 250 long, was made, which furnished water 
from the smaller or south branch of the river. It was intended 
for 10,000 spindles, of which 3000 were got in operation. A 
legal company was formed April 14th, 1829, under the style of 
the "Jefferson Cotton Mills," having for its nominal trustees, Levi 
Beebee, W. T. Beebee, L. S. Beebee, E. Faunda, and Horace 
Hunt, it being generally understood that the first named was the 
real efficient party in the business. To secure the exemptions 
from taxation which the statutes afford in certain cases, Mr. 
Beebee obtained, April 7th, 1830, an act of incorporation, in 
which himself and sons Levi S. and Washington T. were con- 
stituted a company, with a capital of $250,000, in shares of 
$50, and under the management of three trustees. On Sunday, 
July 7th, 1833, the premises were discovered on fire, and such 
progress had been made before discovered, that no effort was at- 
tempted further than to protect surrounding buildings. Circum- 
stances render the conclusion inevitable, that the fire was set by 
an incendiary — that several gallons of varnish were used to 
assist in his designs, and that it was done in revenge for a real 
or supposed injury from the owner. The loss was estimated at 
$200,000, of which $25,000 were insured. Mr. Beebee sub- 
sequently removed to Maumee in Ohio, and with the remains of 
his property purchased a large tract in that town, and com- 
menced building a hotel on a magnificent scale, but the walls 
being too slight, fell before finished, and thus completed his ruin. 
He died at Cleveland, September 19th, 183S, of a lingering ill- 
ness, terminating in dropsy on the brain, at the age of 60. Few 
men among us have evinced more sagacity, industry, and perse- 
verance, than Mr. Beebee. In early life he had been a school 
teacher in Herkimer County, and afterwards engaged as a mer- 
chant in Hartwick, Otsego County. In 1812, he became agent 
for the Hope Factory, and continued in that capacity till. 1827, 
when he removed to Watertown. As agent, his business led 
him on frequent journeys to the south and west, and for several 
seasons he resided in New Orleans. 

The crumbling walls of the factory still recall sad recollec- 
tions of cheerful prospects blighted, and form a picture of desola- 
tion inconsistent with the busy and progressive spirit, every 
where apparent around them. The site of this factory is one of 
the most eligible in the state for hydraulic purposes. 



Watertown. 281 

The Watertown Cotton Mills Company, with $ 100,000 capi- 
tal, was formed January 10th, 1834, with Isaac H. Bronson, 
Jason Fairbanks, Samuel F. Bates, John Sigoumey, and Joseph 
Kimball, trustees. 

This association is believed to have continued several years, 
and is now replaced by the Watertown Cotton Company, capi- 
tal |12,000, formed January 7th, 1846, with E. T. Throop 
Martin, Daniel Lee, S. Newton Dexter, Hiram Holcomb, and 
John Collins, trustees. Their mill at Factory Village in Water- 
town, contains fifty looms, with a proportionate amount of 
machinery, and the premises occupied are the same that were 
erected for a cotton factory in 1814. 

On the 10th of February, 1835, an association with a capital 
of $50,000 was formed by Henry D. Sew all, George Goulding, 
John C. Lashar,- Simeon Boynton, and John Goulding, styled 
the Hamilton Woolen Mills. On ^he 10th of March of the 
same year, new articles were drawn up by the same parties, 
under the name of the Hamilton Manufacturing Company, and 
with a capital of $100,000. During the same year, a dam and 
factory were built, under the agency of Mr. Sewall, a short 
distance above the village, which went into operation in the 
spring of 1836. The factory was designed for five sets of cards, 
with the necessary machinery. In May, 1842, it was bought by 
the Black River Woolen Company, which had been formed 
November 7th, 1836, with a capital of $50,000, the parties 
being Isaac H. Bronson, S. N. Dextpr, O. Hungerford, John 
Williams, Hiram Holcomb, and Daniel Lee. These erected a 
factory at Factory Village, which, after it had been in successful 
operation several years, was burned December 22d, 1841, with 
a loss of from $33,000 to $36,000, of which about one-third 
was insured. By this fire thirty hands were thrown out of em- 
ployment, and two or three narrowly escaped from the flames. 

This factory is now run upon contract, by Loomis & Co., the 
company furnishing the mill and wool, and the contractors, the 
labor, dye stufls, oil, &c, used in the manufacture. It gives 
employment to seventy hands. 

Mr. Sewall, the founder of this factory, had in early life been 
engaged in trade in Boston, and subsequently, in company with 
Arthur Tappan, in Montreal. On the occurrence of the war, he 
received summary notice to leave the province, within sixty 
days, and he returned to Boston. He died at Watertown, June 
8th, 1846, aged 59. 

The Watertown Woolen Company was formed with $100,000 
capital, February 4th, 1834, with I. H. Bronson, John A. 
Rodgers, John Williams, S. Newton Dexter, and Hiram Hol- 
comb, trustees. A company styled the Watertown Woolen 



282 Watertown. 

Manufacturing Company, was formed December 24th, 1835, 
with J. Williams, I. H. Bronson, H. Holcomb, D.Lee, and Silas 
Clark, trustees, and a capital of $25,000. We have not been 
able to learn what was effected by these, neither of which now 
exist. 

The Williams Woolen Company was formed November 7th, 
3836, with a capital of $10,000, and was for some time en- 
gaged in manufacturing negro cloths, and other coarse goods. 
1. H Bronson, S. N. Dexter, J. Williams, H. Holcomb, and 
Charles W T eber, were the parties concerned at the time of organ- 
ization. The premises have been since changed to a tannery for 
sheep skins. The latter business has for several years been 
conducted by two or three establishments at Factory Village, to 
a considerable extent. 

The first tannery on an extensive scale, was erected here by 
Jason Fairbanks, in 1823, which, having been burnt, was re- 
built in 1833. 

In 1808, a paper mill was built above Cowen's Mill by Gur- 
don Caswell from Oneida County, and in 1816 sold to Holbrook 
and Fessenden, of Brattleboro. Other paper mills were built 
above, and in 1824, the firm of Knowlton & Rice commenced 
this business, which they have since continued. In 1832 they 
introduced the first machinery for making paper in the county, 
and have made from $30,000 to $35,000 worth of paper annu- 
ally. Their works have been repeatedly burned. 

.The manufacture of iron into castings and machinery has for 
many years been carried on to a considerable extent in Water- 
town, the first machine shop being built by N. Wiley about 1820, 
and the first foundry by R. Bingham. 

In 1823, G. Goulding, and in 1825, William Smith com- 
menced the manufacture, and have since carried it on. The 
former of these has been engaged on Norton's Island in making 
mill gearings, factory machinery, and to a less extent steam 
engines, and is now under the firm of Goulding, Bagley & 
Sewall, to a considerable extent employed in building machinery 
and tools for working iron. Mr. Smith has been heavily en- 
gaged in making mill gearings and castings, stoves, hollow 
ware, and agricultural implements. His foundry is on Beebee's 
Island. In 1841, the firm of Cooper & W T oodruff built, in 
Pameiia, opposite the site of Beebee's factory, a foundry and 
machine shop, and had, after being employed upon factory 
machinery, mill irons, steam engines, &c, become largely en- 
gaged in the building of rail road cars. These premises were 
burned July 22d, 1853, occasioning a serious loss, not only to the 
enterprising proprietor, but to the public at large. The machine 
shop was 130 by 30 feet, two stories high on the ground, and 



Watertown. 



283 



three on the river. The furnace 40 by SO, the pattern and store 
room 40 by 50, and two stories high. They were situated di- 
rectly opposite the cascade on the river. The firm of Hoard 
& Bradford have had, for two or three years, near the premises of 
the latter, a machine shop, principally for the manufacture of 
portable steam engines, for which their works have beeome quite 
celebrated. 

Our space will not admit of the details of the different 
branches of industry at this place. Black River, within the 
distance of a mile, passes over four dams, at each of which are 
numerous establishments, but at none of them is the full amount 
of water power used. The facility with which dams can be 
constructed, and the security that can be given to buildings 
erected upon them, from the bed of the river being solid rock, 
gives additional value to these privileges. The four dams were 
built in 1803, 1805, 1814, and 1835, and none of them have 
been impaired by the spring floods. 

The river is crossed by three bridges, of which the lower one 
was first erected. Soon after the beginning at Factory Village, 
one was erected there; and one over the cascade, near the ruins 
of Beebee's Factory, in the summer of 1836. This consisted of a 
single arch of timbers, and was built by Hiram Merrill, for 
the two towns it connects, at a cost of $764. In the fall of 
1853, the present elegant bridge was erected, the old one having 
decayed so as to render its use unsafe. 

The business of the place early centered around the Public 
Square, especially at its west end, and on Court and Washington 
streets; and in 1815, 
John Paddock erected 
a three story block, 
forming a part of the 
buildings shown in the 
annexed cut, which 
was the first edifice 
of its size and class 
in town. The corner 
of Washington and 
Arsenal streets be- 
came, at an early day, 
the site of a two story 
wooden tavern, and 
was occupied until 
1827, when an associ- 
ation of citizens de- 
siring to have a hotel in the place that should compare with 
those of the first class in cities, was formed under the name of 
19 





American Hotel and Paddock's Block, burnt 
May 13, 1849. 



284 Watertoum. 

the Wotertown Hotel Company, having a capital of $20,000. 
In the same year Ihey erected the American Hotel, represented 
in the engraving, and this establishment continued to be owned 
by the company until burned in 1849, when the site was sold 
for $10,000, and the present building of the same name was 
erected on its site by individual enterprise. 

Waterlown has been repeatedly devastated by fires, some of 
which produced a decided check to its prosperity, while others 
acted beneficially, by removing rubbish that would, otherwise, 
have disfigured the village for time indefinite, and from which 
the place recovered with an elastic energy, characteristic of a 
progressive age and people. 

On the 7th of February, 1833, a fire occurred, which burned 
the extensive tannery and oil mill of Mr. J. Fairbanks; the pa- 
per mill and printing office of Knowlton & Rice, and a morocco 
factory and dwelling of Kitts & Carpenter; Joss about $30,000. 

The destruction of Beebee's factory, July 7, 1833, has been 
above noticed. 

On the 22d of December, 1841, the Black River Woolen Mills 
in Factory Village were burned; also elsewhere mentioned. 

On the 21st of March, 1848, at 3 o'clock a. m., a fire occurred 
in an old stone shop, in the rear of the Union Mills, and a little 
above, which spread rapidly to the buildings on the island oppo- 
site, and to others above, which, with the bridge, were rapidly 
consumed; and two men, named Leonard Wright, and Levi 
Palmer, perished in the flames, having entered a woolen mill 
for the purpose of rescuing property. Among the buildings 
burned, were the paper mill of Knowlton & Rice, the satinet 
factory of Mr. Patridge, occupied by W. Conkey, a row of me- 
chanics' shops on the island, &c. This fire threw many laborers 
and mechanics out of employment, and was seriously felt by the 
public. Contributions for the sufferers were raised in the village, 
and nearly $1,100 were distributed among them. 

Early in the morning of May 13, 1849, a fire occurred in 
the rear of the American Hotel, corner of Arsenal and Washington 
streets, which swept over a considerable portion of the business 
part of the village, and consumed an immense amount of pro- 
perty. The American Hotel, and out buildings, Paddock's Block, 
Woodruff's Iron Block, and all the buildings on both sides of 
Court Street, as far down as the clerk's office, were burned. The 
Episcopal Church, three printing offices, about thirty extensive 
stores, the post office, Black River Bank, Wooster Sherman's 
Bank, Henry Keep's Bank, town clerk's office, Young Men's 
Association, surrogate's office, and many dwelling houses, were 
in the burnt district. This was by far the most disastrous fire 
that has occurred in the county, and nothing more fully proves 



! 



Watertown. 285 

the enterprise of the place than the quickness with which it re- 
covered from the disaster. While the flames were still raging, 
preparations for rebuilding were made, by purchasing mate- 
rials, and laborers were seen pulling the bricks, still hot, from the 
smouldering ruins, and laying the foundations of new and larger 
buildings on the site of the former. The sites of the burnt build- 
ings were, in many instances, sold for a greater sum than 
the same, with the buildings on them, would have previously 
brought. 

During the ensuing summer the village exhibited an industry, 
among masons and carpenters, which had never been equaled, 
and the external appearance of the village has been decidedly 
improved. 

On the 24th of September, 1850, a fire occurred on Sterling 
street, from which the burning shingles were wafted to the steeple 
of the Universalist Church, and when first noticed, had kindled 
a flame not larger than that of a candle; but before the place 
could be reached, it had enveloped the spire in flames, beyond 
hope of arresting it, and the building was consumed. With the 
utmost exertions of the firemen and citizens of the village, the 
fire was prevented from extending further. 

On the 27th of January, 1851, Perkins' Hotel, on the site of 
the Merchants' Exchange, w r as burned, with a large block on 
Washington street, adjacent. The loss was estimated at about 
$25,000. 

On the 16th of October, 1852, a fire occurred on the opposite, 
or west side of Washington street, which consumed all the build- 
ings south of Paddock's Block, viz: Hungerford's Block, Citizen's 
Bank, and Sherman's Block. The loss was estimated at about 
$14,000, of which the greater part was insured. 

Mechanics' Row, below the Union Mills, was burned Novem- 
ber 5, 1852; loss about $20,000, of which, between $6,000 and 
$7,000 were insured. From fifty to sixty mechanics were thrown 
out of employment; and one young man, Hudson Haddock, aged 
nineteen, perished in the flames while endeavoring to rescue pro- 
perty. _ 

On the evening of July 23, 1853, a fire broke out in the 
extensive foundry, car factory and machine shop of Horace W. 
Woodruff, Esq., on the north bank of the river, opposite Beebee's 
Island, which, with all its contents was rapidly consumed. About 
seventy men were thrown out of employment by this calamity, 
which was felt by great numbers, indirectly concerned in the 
works, and by the public generally. 

On the night of December 1 1, 1853, a fire consumed the build- 
ing erected for a tannery, but used as a sash and butter tub fac- 
tory, on the south side of Beebee's Island, adjoining the bridge, 
and owned by Messrs. Farnham & Button. 



286 



JVatertown. 







Walertown. 



2S7 



Soon after the fire of 1849. Norris AI. Woodruff erected the 
spacious and elegant hotel, that adorns the north side of the 
square, and there arose, simultaneous, from the ashes of the former, 
a range of buildings, extending down Court Street, and on 
Washington Street, fronting upon the public mall, that for archi- 
tectural beauty have few superiors. Prominent among these are 
the Paddock Buildings, including the Arcade, which, from its 
containing the post office, telegraph office, &c, has become a 
point of much importance. This building extends from Washing- 
ton to Arcade Street, is roofed with glass, and contains, on each 
side, both on the ground floor and a gallery, a range of stores 
and offices, the whole of which are airy and well lighted. At 
all seasons this affords a dry and comfortable promenade, and is a 
place of much resort. 




View on Washington Street and the Public Square. 



The engraving represents the blocks owned by L. Paddock, R. 
E. Hungerford, O. C. Utley, William H. Angel, and G. C. Sher- 
man. The new Masonic Hall is represented in the last building 
but one, with arched windows. 

The plans of these buildings, represented in the engraving, 
were drawn by Air. Otis L. Wheelock, an artist resident in the 
village, by whom most of the new buildings, that adorn the 
streets of Watertown, were planned. The general features of 
these edifices are shown by the annexed engravings, and have, 
for their object, to unite an elegant exterior, with a commodious 



288 Watertown. 

internal arrangement, and where placed in continuous blocks, 




Crowner's Hotel, Court Street, Watertown. 

as on the Public Square and Court Street, the effect produced is 
very fine. 




Merchants' 1 Exchange, Watertown. 



Watertown. 



289 



The Merchants' Exchange, erected during the summer of 
1853, by G. and W. N. Woodruff, will compare, in architectural 
taste and splendor, with any edifice of the class in the state. It 
is situated on the corner of Washington Street and the Public 
Square, having a front of 117^ feet on the former, and 85 feet on 
the latter, with a height of 60 feet. The first story is devoted to 
stores, the second to offices, and the third to a saloon, which, for 
size, convenience of arrangement, and beauty of decorations, is 
unsurpassed by any, except in our largest cities. This room is 
65 by 85, and 30 feet high, adapted in its arrangements for 
concerts, theatrical exhibitions, balls, and public meetings; and 
its walls and ceiling are adorned by elegant fresco paintings, 
executed with much taste and ability, by E. H. Whitaker, of 
Boston. This building was erected after the plans of Mr. 
Wheelock; at a cost of about $25,000. 

The taste which has been exhibited within two or three years, 
in the erection of private dwellings, cannot fail of being noticed 
and admired by strangers; and this, if continued, will 




Residence of O. V. Brainard, Washington Street. 

soon render the village as conspicuous among the inland towns 
of the state, for the classic elegance of its private as well as its 
public buildings, as it already has become for the immensity of 
its water power, and the extraordinary combination of facilities 
for manufacturing purposes which it possesses. 

The enterprise which has led to the erection of water works, 
during the past season, has been already noticed. On the 23d of 
November, 1853, the pumps were set in operation, and, after 
working about thirty minutes, the water made its appearance in 



290 fVatertown. 

the reservoir, at an elevation of nearly two hundred feet, and 
distance of a mile from the village. An experiment made with 
a hydrant, with an inch pipe, showed that water could be thrown 
over the liberty pole on Factory Square, about 120 feet high, and 
the question appears to be settled beyond doubt that these valu- 
able works will answer the end for which they were erected, and 
that the village will henceforth possess the means of controlling 
fires, which have so often in times past laid waste the most flou- 
rishing portions of the place. 

A part of this improvement is to consist of a fountain, in the 
centre of the public square, on each side of which an oval park 
is to be laid out, and enclosed and planted with trees. The basin 
of the fountain is forty feet in diameter, and made of cut stone, 
and the jets will be supplied from a reservoir, one hundred and 
eighty feet above this level. 

Early in 1852, measures were taken for supplying the village 
"with gas light. Messrs. Walworth, Nason and Guild, had, by a 
village ordinance passed September 9, 1851, secured the exclu- 
sive privilege of supplying the village with rosin gas for ten 
years, and on the 28th of Feb., 1852, an association, styled 
the Watertown Gas Light Company, was organized, with a ca- 
pital of $20,000. In the same year the principal buildings in the 
business portion of the village were supplied, and during the 
summer of 1853, pipes were laid through many of the principal 
streets and to private houses. A proportionate addition was 
made to the manufactory, and these improvements will be ex- 
tended as the wants of the public demand. 

Several social libraries have been formed in this town, the first 
of which was the Watertown Social Library, May 14, 1805; 
Wm. Huntington, Corlis Hinds, Hart Massey, Henry Jewett, and 
Daniel Brainard, trustees. The Farmer's Instructor, was a li- 
brary company, formed June 8, 1813, with Wm. Parkinson, Davis 
Doty, Cyrenus Woodworth, Cyrus Butterfield, Simeon Woodruff, 
and Ira Delano, trustees. It was located near the line of Rut- 
land. The Watertown Franklin Library, formed Feb. 12, 1829, 
with Chas. E. Clarke, Ralph Clapp, John Sigourney, Daniel 
Lee, Isaac H. Bronson, Clarke Rice, Otis Colwell, Henry L. 
Harvey, Baker Massey, Alvin Hunt, Ira Brewster, and Win. 
Smith, trustees, had formed a collection of books, that were sold 
in February, 1834, when the society disbanded. 

The Young Men's Association, was formed by the appointment 
of officers, Dec. 3, 1840, and the adoption of a constitution, 
which provided for the annual election of a president, two vice 
presidents, a recording and a corresponding secretary, a treasurer, 
and eleven managers, who were to constitute together, an execut- 
ive committee, appoint a librarian, and have the general charge 



Watertown. 291 

and supervision of the interests of the association. Citizens of 
Watertown, between the ages of sixteen and forty, might become 
members, by paying $1 admission fee, and $2 annually. 

On the 17th of April, 1S41, an act of incorporation was passed, 
by which D. D. Otis, 0. V. Brainard, S. S. Cady, Abraham Rea- 
mer, J. M. Clark, George R. Fairbanks, and Samuel Fairbanks, 
were constituted a body corporate, under the name of The Young 
Men's Associaton, for Mutual Improvement, in the Village of 
Watertown, with the usual liabilities and immunities, and 
power to hold real and personal estate, to an amount not exceed- 
ing $10,000. 

The introductory address was delivered by the Hon. Joseph 
Mull in, Dec. 17, 1S00, and weekly lectures and debates were 
continued during the winter seasons. A library with about four 
hundred volumes, was opened, April 3, 1841, and had increased 
to nearly two thousand volumes, when the premises occupied by 
the association, were destroyed in the great fire of May 13, 1849, 
and no further efforts were made to revive it. 

The first officers elected, were D. D. Otis, president; Orville 
V. Brainard, first vice president; Ithamer B. Crawe, second vice 
president; Joseph Mullin, corresponding secretary; W. Genet, 
treasurer; Geo. W. Hungerford, S. Fairbanks, James F. Starbuck, 
A. M. Corss, R. Barnes, J. H. Dutton, J. C. Patridge, F. W. 
Hubbard, K. Hannahs, M. Beebee, and T. H. Camp, managers. 

Religious Societies. — Meetings for religious worship were 
held by missionaries from New England, almost as soon as the 
town began to settle; and in 1802, there were three worshipping 
assemblies in this town and Rutland. On the 3d of June, 1803, 
a Congregational Church was formed by the Rev. Ebenezer La- 
zelle, at the barn of Caleb Burnham, at Burrville, consisting at 
fust of fifteen members. Gershom Tuttle and William Fellows 
were appointed first deacons; and in the same summer stated 
meetings were held at the house of John Blevin. Missionaries 
sent out from the New Hampshire and Connecticut Missionary 
Societies, occasionally supplied the church with preaching; 
among whom were the Rev. B. Tyler, N. Dutton, and others. 
On the 25ih of October, 1815, the Rev. Daniel Banks was or- 
dained and installed the pastor of this church, and Rutland, by 
an ecclesiastical council convened for the purpose; the sermon 
being preached by the Rev. Isaac Clinton, of Lowville, and the 
charges given by the Rev. Enos Bliss. 

In January, 1821, the form of government was changed to 
Presbyterian; the first elders being Win. Brown, James Stone, T. 
Red field, J. Van Nest, John Sawyer, HartMassev, Wm. Hunting- 
ton, Asaph Horton, and Amasa Herrick. The first deacons weie 
T. Redfield, and Hart Massey. 



292 Watertown. 

Mr. Banks remained the pastor of this church until February 
2S, ]S21, when he left for .Potsdam, where he subsequently resi- 
ded as a pastor, and the principal of St. Lawrence Academy, until 
his death in 1827. On the 12th of April, 1821, the Rev. George 
S. Boardman was employed; and July 26, of the same year, he 
was installed over this church, where he remained until March 
8, 1837, when he left, and was succeeded, May 20, 1837, by the 
Rev. Isaac Brayton who was ordained and installed, August 31st, 
of the same year, and has since remained the pastor. 

Three churches have sprung from this; a Congregational one 
in 1830, since become extinct. The second Presbyterian Church 
of Watertown village, 1831, and a Congregational Church at 
Burrville, in 1836. 

The first religious corporation, under the general statute, was 
formed February 11, 1811, under the name of the Religious 
Society of Watertown, of which the trustees of first elected 
were Tilley Richardson,* John Sikes, Thos. Sawyer, Hart Massey, 
Amos Benedict, Aaron Brown, and Win. Fellows, trustees; and a 
vote was taken to erect a meeting house as soon as practicable, 
but the war which followed prevented. The Watertown Ecclesi- 
astical Society was formed May 25, 1814, with Jabez Foster, Hart 
Massey, and Orren Stone, trustees, which, however, effected no- 
thing ; and June 27, 18 1 1, the Watertown and Rutland Union So- 
ciety had been formed, which also failed to erect a church. The 
brick academy erected in 1811, on the site of the First Presbyterian 
Church, was, with the Court House, used for several years for 
meetings, until 1820, when a stone edifice, occupying the site of 
the present Presbyterian Church, on Washington Street, was 
erected, and on the 1st of January 1821, it was dedicated by the 
pastor, the sermon being preached from Isaiah lxiv, 11. 

Early in 1850, it was decided to rebuild the stone church, and 
in May it was demolished, and the present elegant brick church 
erected on its site. It is sixty-three by one hundred feet, and 
can seat one thousand persons. It is built after the plans and 
designs of Mr. Otis L. Wheelock to whom the village is indebted 
for the plans of most of the nev public buildings. The church 
was dedicated April 10, 1851, the sermon being preached by the 
pastor, from Psalms cxx, 1. The cost of the house was about 
$20,000. The church now numbers about 33S communicants. 

The Second Presbyterian Church was formed July 20, 1831, 
by the Rev. Abel L. Crandall, and Geo. S. Boardman, a committee, 
appointed for the purpose, by the Watertown Presbytery. It 
consisted at first of thirty-one members, dismissed for that pur- 
pose from the First Church, and four from the Congregational 

* Mr. Richardson died January 14, 1852, aged 93 years. He was a sol- 
dier of the revolution, and emigrated from New Hampshire, in 1502. 



TVatertown. 



293 




First Presbyterian Church. Water town. 



* 



294 Watertown. 

Church; Lewis R.Sandiforth, was chosen Ruling Elder. Pastors, 
James R. Boyd, installed Sept. 7, 1832; Marcus Smith, Feb. 10, 
1836; Wm. E.Knox, Feb. 14, 1844; and Peter Snyder, June 20, 
1848. Their church, at the corner of Factory and Mechanic 
Streets, was built in 1831, at a cost of about $5,500, of which 
Mr. Beebee, proprietor of the Jefferson Cotton Mills, contributed 
about $3,000. This church has received nearly 700 members; 
present number (June 1853) 187. About 100 members fell off 
within two years, by removals and other causes, resulting from 
the burning of the cotton mills, in 1833. The society, connected 
with this church, was formed Oct. 10, 1831, with Josiah W. 
Baker, Heniy Kitts, and Geo. W. Knowlton, trustees. 

Trinity Church. The first Episcopal service was performed 
in the town of Watertown, early in 1812, at the old school house, 
on the site of the present Universalist Church, by the Rev. Da- 
niel Nash, of Otsego County. In 1826, it was again performed 
by the late Bishop Hobart, in the Presbyterian Church, and the 
same year the Rev. William Lynn Keese, stationed at Brown- 
ville, preached occasionally, here and at Sackets Harbor. On 
the 31st of May, 1828, a legal organization was effected, under 
the Rev. Joshua M. Rogers, of Turin, of which Ira Wright, and 
Wm. D. Ford, were church wardens, and Wm. Cowen, Samuel 
McClure, Philo S. Johnson, Loveland Paddock, Forrester Dexter, 
Henry L. Harvey, Henry Bronson, Wm. McCullock, and Walter 
Woodward, were vestrymen. Mr. Rogers continued to attend 
every fourth Sunday for some time. In 1829, they engaged the 
pastoral labors of the Rev. Hiram Adams, then a missionary of 
the united parishes of Watertown and Sackets Harbor, at which 
places he preached on alternate sabbaths. Services were at first 
held at the Court House. In 1S29, a sunday school was opened, 
having at first sixteen scholars, and two teachers, and for four 
years, not more than twenty-five scholars were assembled. 

In 1830, a subscription was circulated to obtain the means to 
erect a church, and a petition for aid was forwarded to Trinity 
Church, New York; but these efforts failed, and the parish was 
several months without religious services, except, occasionally, 
by the Rev. Mr. Gear, the successor of Mr. Keese, at Brown- 
ville. In the fall of 1831, the Rev. Mr. Salmon was hired six 
months, but remained a year, and in February, 1832, the efforts 
to raise means for building a church, were resumed with vigor. 
A lot was secured, but the sum was still short of that necessary, 
when Henry D. Sewall, engaged to build the house on the sub- 
scription, and take the sum to be received from the sale of pews 
to pay the balance. A wooden church was accordingly com- 
menced in the spring of 1832, and finished externally the same 
year. In June 1833, Trinity Church, New York, gave $1,000, 



fVatertown. 295 

to the society, on condition that the edifice should be of stone, 
and, when done, free from debt. As the building was already 
up, the condition, prescribing the material, was modified. In 
1833, Samuel Brown, of Brownville, raised $600, for this church, 
in New York, and G. C. Sherman contributed liberally towards 
its completion, by giving the building of a church in Ellisburgh, 
of which he had acquired the title, on condition that the church 
should be furnished with an organ and a bell; both of which were 
procured in August, of the same year. The church being com- 
pleted, was consecrated on the 18th of September, 1833. 

The frame of this building was 40 by 60 feet, with a square 
tower of 16 feet base, projecting 8 feet from the front, with a 
belfry formed by two parallelograms, crowning each other, with 
recessed corners, two feet square, above which arose an octa- 
gonal tinned spire, tapering to a point at 100 feet from the ground. 
The church had two windows in the front, and four on each side, 
with semicircular tops. The external design and details of the 
tower were modelled from a church in Cambridge, Mass. In 
1S34, Mr. Gear, of Brownville, was employed a part of the time, 
and in 1835, the Rev. — Hickox, of Rochester, was called, and 
the church prospered much under his labors. From May, 1837, 
till April, 1839, the Rev. Charles Ackley was employed, and in 
September of the latter year, the Rev. John F. Fish was engaged 
and remained until Sept. 22, 1844. During his ministry, the 
numbers of the church increased from 56 to 134; there were 94 
confirmations, 127 baptisms, 142 marriages, and 55 burials. 

In January, 1845, the Rev. Dr. Win. M. Carmichael was em- 
ployed and remained about a year, when he was succeeded in 
August 1846, by the Rev Levi VV. Norton, who continued the 
rector till the spring of 1853. On the 17th of July, 1853, the 
Rev. Geo. Morgan Hill was employed, and the parish is now in 
a very flourishing state, exhibiting in October, 1853, the follow- 
ing statistics : — 

Families, comprising the congregation, . . 170 

Present number of communicants, . . . 175 

There is a flourishing Sunday School of 20 teachers and 80 
pupils. 

The church originally erected was burned in the memorable 
fire of May 13, 1849, and on the 14th May 1850, the corner 
stone of the present edifice was laid, with religious services, by 
the Episcopal clergy of the county. The building is after the 
plans of Mr. R. Upjohn, of New York, and is purely gothic. The 
dimensions of the nave are 50 by 100 feet; those of the church, 
25, by 21 feet. The tower which rises from an angle of the 
building, is 160 feet high, and the whole cost from $12,000 to 
$16000, and can accommodate 1,000 worshipers. It was conse- 
crated by Bishop De Lancy, January 23, 1851. 



29ft 



Waterlown 




Trinity Church, Watertown. 

The building committee were L. Paddock, R. G. Vaughan, B. 
Bagley, Joel Blood, and Hiram Merrill. 

The building stands on the north side of Court-street, near the 
county clerk's office. The society received towards its erection, 
$600 from Trinity Church, New York. We are indebted for most 
of the facts relating to the early organization of this church, to 
an Easter memorial, preached by the Rev. J. F. Fish, March 27, 
1842, and published soon after in the Jeffersonian. 

The Universalist Society was formed at the Court House, 
April 26, 1820, by a meeting assembled on the call of twelve 
citizens. Levi Butterfield, Chauncey Calhoun, Henry Caswell, 
Simeon Scheeles, and Darius Doty, were chosen first trustees. A 
legal society was formed January 3, 1825, of which Joseph 
Sheldon, Reuben Goodale, Jehiel M. Howell, Jonathan Baker, 
and Eliot Makepeace, were the first trustees. This society in 
1824, built a stone church on the site of the present one at a 
cost of about $7,000, which was dedicated Nov. 10, 1824, and 



fVaterlown. 



297 



burned September 29, 1850. The present church was erected in 
1851-2, at a cost of from $9,000 to $10,000, and dedicated Novem- 
ber 4, 1852. A church organization was formed June 21, 1S23, of 
54 members, under Rev. Pitt Morse, the first clergyman, who 
remained till 1825, and after a year's absence again sustained 
the charge of the society for many years. He was succeeded 
by Rev. Wm. H. Waggoner, who remained four years. Rev. 
H Bovnton was next employed, and has been succeeded by the 
Rev. John H. Stewart, the present clergyman. During the time 
lhat Mr. Roynton remained, the church organization was given 
up, and has not since been resumed. 









Universalist Church, Watertown. 

The church fronts upon the public square, near its south east 
corner, and is after the plans of O. L. Wheelock, of this village. 

A Raptist church was formed in the town of Watertown, at 
a very early day. In 1S09, it reported 38; in 1810, 59; in 1819, 
it numbered 121. The church at the village, is said to have 
been organized, under the supervision of Elder Norman Guiteau, 
May 29th, 1823, of seventeen members. The succession of pas- 
tors have been, Jacob Knapp, John Miller, Charles Clark, L. T. 
Ford, W. J. Crane, John A. Nash, and J. S. Holme, the present 
pastor. A society was formed, Oct. 13, 1827, in Factory Village, 
with Lemuel L. Grady, Caleb S. Henderson, and Harvey Far- 
rington, trustees, who erected in 1828, the church now occupied 
by the Catholics. In 1837, having sold this, they erected a church 



298 Watertuwn. 

of wood, at the east end of the Public Square, at the corner of 
State Street, which was dedicated January 10, 1838, and burned 
March 8, 1846. The present one was soon after erected on the 
same ground, and has recently been enlarged and much improved, 
in internal arrangements. 

The Methodist Episcopal denomination, at an early day, organ- 
ized a class, and November 27, 1821, a society, with Jonathan 
Cowen, Titus Ives, John Collins, Thomas Potter, and Henry H. 
Coffeen, trustees. On the 9th of Dec. 1822, and Dec. 30, 1824, 
it was reorganized, and subsequently erected on Arsenal Street 
a stone church, since taken down; and, from the increase of num- 
bers, the Methodists thought proper to form two new societies. 
The Society of the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
Watertown, was formed January 29, 1849, with Thomas Baker, A. 
J. Peck, H. Scovill, S. K. Carter, A. Cook, Geo. Porter, Edmond 
Davis, J. M. Sigourney, and I. Huckins, trustees, who the same 
year erected the elegant church, adjoining the Jefferson County 
Institute, and represented in our engraving of that seminary. 

The present Arsenal Street Methodist Church, was built in the 
summer of 1851. 

The Burrville Society in Watertown, was formed Oct. 14, 
J833, Craft. P. Kemble, Geo. W. Jinks, and Elnathan Lucas, 
being trustees, and subsequently erected a union church, at a cost 
of about $1,550. 

St. Mary's Church, Watertown (Catholic), was purchased 
from the Baptists, and mass was first said in it, July 4, 1838, by 
Rev. Michael Gilbride, the first resident priest. He has been 
succeeded by Rev. Philip Gillick, Rev. R. O'Dowde, Rev. — 
McFarland, and Rev. — Fenniley, the present priest. 

The United Baptist and Presbyterian Society of Watertown, 
was formed Dec. 1, 1823; Orni Stowell, Jason Richard, and 
Samuel F. Ballard, were chosen trustees. 

The Second Orthodox Congregational Society in Watertown, 
was formed by citizens of Houndsfield, Adams and Watertown, 
Jan. 5, 1842, with S. F. Ballard, Chancey Read, and ElishaRead, 
trustees. Neither of these societies erected places of worship. 

The First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Watertown, was 
formed Dec. 19, 1848, with Peter Baltuff, Charles Bostwick, 
Elim Holcomb, Richard Fryar, and Francis J. J. Blodget, trustees. 
This society occupies a part of the old stone building, erected by 
the trustees of the Watertown Academy. 

The Christian denomination, have one organization in the 
village. 



mina. 299 



WlLNA. 



This town was erected from Le Ray and Leyden, April 2d, 
1813, by an act which altered the line of the two counties, and 
annexed a part of Lewis to Jefferson. The first town meeting 
was directed to be held at the house of Thomas Brayton, Jr., 
and the poor moneys of the three towns were to be equitably 
divided by the last tax list. For many years the town meetings 
have been held at the Checkered House, four miles from Car- 
thage Village. The first town officers elected were: Thomas 
Brayton, supervisor; Elihu Stewart, clerk; John B. Bossout, 
Caleb Fulton, and Enoch Griffin, assessors; Robert C. Hastings, 
collector; Henry Lewis and Alfred Freeman, overseers of the 
poor; Henry Lewis, Freedom Gates, and Thomas Brayton, 
commissioners of highways. 

Supervisors. — 1814-15, Thomas Brayton; 1816, Alfred Free- 
man; 1817, Francis Lloyd, T. Brayton to fill vacancy; 1818-19, 
Nathan Brown; 1820-2, Thomas Brayton; 1823-7, Eli West; 
1828-9, Thomas Baker; 1830-2, Eli West; 1833, Walter 
Nimocks; 1834, William Bones; 1835-6, Walter Nimocks; 
1837, William Bones; 1838, Oliver Child; 1839, Walter 
Nimocks; 1840-1, Eli West; 1842, Jonathan Wood; 1843, 
Walter Nimocks; 1844, Milton H. Carter; 1845, Charles 
Strong; 1846, Hiram McColIom; 1847-9, Simeon Fulton; 
1850-1, W T ilIiam Christian; 1852-3, Horace Hooker. 

In 1815-6-7-9-20-3, a wolf bounty of $5. In 1827-8, of $10, 
with $'5 for wolf whelps. In 1831, the path masters were al- 
lowed to lay out three days' labor in destroying noxious weeds. 
In 1846, strong resolutions were passed in favor of the Black 
River Canal. 

Settlement w r as commenced in this town about 1798, by Henry 
Boutin, who had purchased 1000 acres of Rodolph Tillier, 
agent of the French Company, on the east side of the river, at 
the village of Carthage, and made a considerable clearing, with 
a company of men, in this year and the next. Jean Baptiste 
Bossout,* from the High Falls, settled at about the same time; 
and after the abandonment of the clearing, remained the sole 
inhabitant several years, keeping a ferry and inn for travelers. 
This ferry he kept up till a bridge was built. 

Boutin was drowned below the village, a few years after his 
first settlement, and J. Le Ray was, July 17, 1815, appointed to 
administer the estate, which was sold at auction, and purchased 

* Generally known as Battisc. He was a native of Troyes, in France; 
came to America with Steuben, and died in Champion, July 26th, 1847, aged 
83. 

20 



300 Wilnu. 

by Vincent Le Ray,* from whom the titles in Carthage Village, 
and vicinity, have been since derived. The place which had 
previously been known as the Long Falls, was, on the erection 
of a post office, called Carthage. In 3806, David Coffeenf 
built a grist mill on the west bank, and constructed a dam 
partly across the river, and this was subsequently completed b) 
those owning the forge, &c, on the east bank. A forge was built 
in 1816, above the site of the furnace, afterwards built, which 
was burned the same year; and soon after, James Barney, Fran- 
cis Lloyd, and Nathan Brown, from Fort Ann, New York, hav- 
ing leased, for ten years, the water power, with privileges of ore, 
coal, &c, erected a forge in the lower part of the village, which 
was got into successful operation, making chiefly mill irons and 
anchors. This business gave the first impulse to the growth of 
the place, but Mr. Barney having soon after died, the property 
reverted to Le Ray. The purchase money for lands sold by the 
Antwerp Company having been invested in United States stocks, 
was subsequently realized by the company in money, and on the 
20th of May, 1816, loaned to Mr. Le Ray for the purpose of 
building a furnace, and opening a road between the furnace and 
the St. Lawrence, with such other improvements as might be 
necessary to enhance the value of their remaining lands. The 
Alexandria road, and other communications, were opened ac- 
cordingly; and in 1819, a blast furnace was erected under the 
supervision of Claudius S. Quilliard. A refining forge, with two 
additional fires, was built in 1820-1, and in the fall of 1820 the 
furnace was got in operation, making in 10 weeks, 141 tons of 
iron. The stack was 30 feet square at the base, 24 feet high; 
inside diameter from 7 to 10 feet. At first, bog ore was used, 
w 7 hich was procured from swamps in this county, and from near 
the river in Lewis County. Ferrigenous bowlders of gneiss were 
at first employed as a flux. About 1838, specular ores from St. 
Lawrence County, and from Antwerp and Philadelphia in this 
county, began to be used, either alone or mixed with bog ores. 
From the beginning till 1836, cold air was used in the blast, 
when an imperfect apparatus for heating the air was introduced; 
and in 1840, a more efficient heating apparatus was employed. 
In 1845, the cold blast was again used. The premises have 
been four times burned, and the accident known as " blowing 
up," had several times happened, being caused by the clogging 
up of damp loomy ores, below which a cavity will form. When 
the supports below melt away, the mass above falls, and the 
dampness in the ore being subjected to a sudden and intense 
heat, is changed instantly into steam, and explodes with ter- 

* Jefferson Deeds, liber P, p. 511. 

t Mr. Coffeen died at Carthage, January 30th, 1828. 



Wilna. 301 

rific violence. The accident is known only where bog ores are 
used alone. Upon using rock ores, the height of the furnace 
was increased to 28 feet, and two tewels or pipes for air were 
used instead of one. The Kearney ore was drawn 24 miles, and 
cost from $1'25 to $2*25 on the bank, and about $3 for drawing. 
The ore from the Shurtliffbed, in Philadelphia, 17 miles distant, 
cost $ 1 # 50 to $2 for drawing, 50 cents for raising, and 50 rents 
for the ore. It was worked alone sometime; yielded about 35 
per cent, and made a very hard metal, known as " cold short." 
The Carthage furnace produced from 2 to 3 tons of iron daily, 
from 8 to 10 months a year, until 1846, when it was abandoned, 
and has so fallen into decay that it would require rebuilding 
throughout to be used. It belongs to the Antwerp Company. 

Nail works were erected in 182S, and continued about ten 
years: the nails being made from bar iron. In 1S46, an extensive 
nail factory and rolling mill were built, by Hiram McCollom, 
which have since been continued, and in 1849—50, an extensive 
building by the same for a factory, which has not been put in 
operation. 

The state road to the Oswegatchie, opened in 1802-6, afforded 
the principal avenue to St. Lawrence County, and made this 
point a thoroughfare of much importance, as through it must 
pass all the travel to the central and southern parts of the state. 
The St. Lawrence turnpike, built in 1812-13, added another 
avenue to the northern settlements, and made the erection of 
a bridge necessary. 

An act was passed, June 8, 1812, authorizing Russell Attwater 
and associates, "to build a toll bridge, over Black River, at the 
place where the state road, leading to Oswegatchie, crosses the 
same, being at the head of the Long Falls, in Champion, in the 
county of Jefferson." The principal party in this enterprise, is 
understood to have been David Parish, the eminent financier and 
extensive purchaser of northern lands. The act required the bridge 
to be sixteen feet wide, well built, and completed before No- 
vember, 1813. Before opening, it was to be examined by the 
road commissioners of Champion; and the act was to continue 
in force twenty years. If damaged, and not repaired within 
twelve months, it was to revert to the state. A bridge was 
accordingly erected in 1812, the architect being Ezra Church, 
and maintained till 1829. On the 28th day of March, 1829, the 
act was extended twenty years, as the bridge was so decayed 
that it required to be rebuilt. Early in 1829, an effort was made 
to secure by subscription the means of building a free bridge; a 
meeting of the towns was called, and the piers of the toll bridge 
were purchased for $500. At this time, those interested in the 
lower part of the village, among whom the most active was 



302 Wilna. 

Joseph C. Budd, started a project of erecting a bridge across the 
river, among the islands, which abound in the river at the Long 
Falls, and this project, aided by Mr. Le Ray and others, led to 
the erection of a passage across the river, by five bridges, thrown 
from island to island. At the next spring flood, this bridge was 
injured, but it was again repaired. The next flood so injured the 
work, that it was never repaired, and it soon mostly fell into ruin. 
The upper bridge, on the former side, through the influence of 
Dr. Eli West and others, was built by subscription the same 
summer (1829), as a free bridge, at a cost of $1,600, and lasted 
eleven years, when, in 1840, it being found necessary to rebuild, 
a meeting of Champion and Wilna was called, which procured an 
act, May 7, allowing a loan from the school fund of $2,500 to 
Champion, $750 to Le Ray, $2,000 to Wilna, $750 toPamelia, 
for bridges; among others, this. The loan was to be repaid by 
eight installments, with legal interest. A covered bridge was 
built, at a cost of $5,000, which lasted till 1853, when prepara- 
tions had been made to rebuild, and the contract was let. An 
act was passed, April 11, 1853, assuming it as a state work, on 
the ground that it was over a portion of the river, which is 
acknowledged to be a part of the Black River Canal. During 
the summer and fall of 1853, a substantial bridge was built by 
the state. 

Within ten years from the first improvement in this town, 
settlements had begun along the main road north, and inns had 
been opened by Alfred Freeman, at the Checkered House, and 
Henry Lewis, nine miles from the river. Few farms were located 
before the war. The iron business, with the several branches of 
industry which it fostered, with the advantages of a valuable 
water power, and the vicinity of an early settled district, on the 
opposite side of the river, gave a gradual growth to the village 
of Carthage. The prospective advantages which the Black 
River Canal promised to this point, have created hopes of future 
importance, and in some instances led to investments and specu- 
lations in real estate, to an extent that the event did not warrant; 
yet, there are few localities, that combine so many elements of 
prosperity as this. The canal, though so long delayed as to have 
lost much of its importance, is now as certain of speedy com- 
pletion as the Empire State is of existence, and will afford a slow 
but cheap and certain access to markets, for lumber and mineral 
products. Three rail roads, one or more of which appear certain 
of being soon opened, will afford at all seasons a ready communi- 
cation with central markets; and an unlimited water power, and 
fertile region around, present a combination of advantages, which 
can not fail of being greatly improved. 

The hydraulic power of Carthage is but partially occupied, 



Wilna. 303 

and supplies 2 axe factories, 2 cupola furnaces, 1 rolling mill, 
and nail factory, 1 large tannery (erected in 1830, by Nimocks 
&Peck), 2 saw mills, 1 gristmill, 1 forge, and several establish- 
ments for planing, turning, &c. There are, in the village, 
churches of the Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian 
order, and from 1000 to 1200 inhabitants. In 1850 the census 
gave 800. In 1842, a building was erected by Harrison Miller, 
for an academy, and has since been held as private property, and 
occupied as a high school. It is now owned by Mr. B. F. Bush, 
and is in successful operation. 

The Village of Carthage was incorporated May 26, 1841. 
The bounds were made to begin at a point south 45° east thirty 
chains, from the south corner of the stone nail factory; thence 
north 45° east sixty chains; thence north 45° west sixty chains; 
thence south 45° west to the line between Champion and Wilna, 
and thence to the place of beginning. The charter is after the 
model of that of the village of Seneca Falls, and provides for the 
election of five trustees. 

The first village trustees elected were, in 1841, Virgil Brooks 
(president), Suel Gilbert, EbenezerHodgkins, Amos Choate, and 
Walter Nimocks. In June, Elijah Horr elected in place of 
Nimocks. In July, 1841, a fire company of twenty persons was 
formed, of which Samuel A. Budd was chosen captain. Another 
company was formed, in place of this, Aug. 2, 1842, called the 
Washington Fire Company. The following persons have since 
been elected trustees; the one first named in each year, in italics, 
being chosen president. 

1842. Virgil Brooks, Amos Choate, Elijah Horr, Eben. Hodg- 
kins, William Blodget. 

1843. Hiram McCollom, Joseph C. Budd, Theodore S. Ham- 
mond, Samuel J. Davis, Alvah H. Johnson. 

1844. Hiram McCollom, Joseph C. Budd, J. P. Hodgkins, 
Kellogg E. Parker, Clark Dodge. 

1845. Eli West, Hiram McCollom, Clark Dodge, Suel Gilbert, 
Amos Choate. 

1846. Eli West, Hiram McCollom, Amos Choate, Samuel A. 
Budd, Samuel J. Davis. 

1847. Hiram McCollom, Eli West, Clark Dodge, Suel Gil- 
bert, Seth L. King. 

1848. Hiram McCollom, Alvah H. Johnson, Clark Dodge, 
Seth L. King, Suel Gilbert. 

1849. Hiram McCollom, Clark Dodge, Suel Gilbert, R. Rice, 
S P. Davis. 

1850. Patrick S. Stewart, Walter Nimocks, Horace Hooker, 
Hiram L. Chambers. 

1851. John B. Johnson, R. Rice, Joseph Crowner, Minor 
Guyot, Charles H. Kimball. 



304 Wilna. 

1852. Eli West, H. C. Rice, John Hewit, Samuel C. Hopkins, 
Seth French. 

1853. Eli West, John S. Edwards, Herman Rulison, Walter 
Nimocks, Charles H. Kimball. 

Near the extreme eastern edge of this town, on Indian River, 
and nine miles by the nearest road from Carthage, is the little 
village of Natural Bridge. A reservation, of a mile square, had 
been made here, and a village plat surveyed by Edmund Tucker. 
Improvements commenced here in 1818. In 1819 and 1820, mills 
were erected; the early settlers being Zebina Chaffee, Arnold Burr, 
Abel Bingham, Teunis Allen, Stephen Nutting, Charles R. Knight, 
and others. Bingham opened the first store in 1820, and Knight 
the first inn in 1821 and 1822. After the purchase of a large 
tract in this vicinity, by Count Survilliers, he caused a framed 
house to be built here, for his summer residence, and on one or 
two summers, he made a short sojourn at this place. The village 
derives its name from the fact, that, in dry seasons, the water of 
the river finds its way by a subterranean passage, under a mass 
of white lime stone, that here constitutes the rock at the surface. 
In floods, the excess flows in an open channel on the surface, 
over which a bridge passes. From the soluble character of this 
rock it has been worn into grottos of some interest, which, in 
low water, may be entered a short distance, and here, as else* 
where along the junction of the white or primary lime stone and 
the gneiss rock, there occurs a great variety of minerals, which 
afford an inviting field of research, and will be more fully de- 
scribed in our account of the mineralogy of the county. 

Somewhat extensive operations for copper mining were under- 
taken in the fall of 1847, by a Boston company, under the 

direction of Bigelow, in the town of Wilna, about two 

miles from the village of Natural Bridge. 

Carthagenian Library was formed May 12, 1818. Sylvian 
Bullard, David Wright, Nathan Brown, Lanis Coffeen, Ebene- 
zer Sabins, Seth Hooker, John Wait, Elijah Fulton, W T alter 
Nimocks, S. E. D. Angelis, John Hodgkin, and John D. Belmot, 
were elected first trustees. The collection of this society, amount- 
ing to 500 volumes, was sold at auction June 14, 1845. 

Religious Societies. — A Catholic church (St. James') was 
built in 1819, at a cost of $2,000, on a lot of three acres, given 
by Le Ray, who also contributed largely to its erection. A society 
was formed July 20, 1821, with Claudius S. Quilliard, Edward 
Galvin, John Tuley, James and Vincent Le Ray, John Daley, 
and James Welch, first trustees. The priests have been, the Rev. 

Messrs. John Farnham, James Salmon, Fitz Simmons, M. 

Kelley, M. Gilbride, McFarlane, M. Powers, John Galla- 

gan, and Morris Roach. 



Worth. 305 

First Baptist Society of Carthage was formed February 9, 
1839, with Joel Miller, Joseph P. Ellis, Theodore S. Hammond, 
Harvey Farrington, Jeremiah Lauphear, John Chase, Alvah H. 
Johnson, Samuel W. Gilbert, and Hiram Lauphear, trustees. A 
church was built the next summer, at a cost of about $'4,000. 

A church organization had been previously effected, which. be- 
gan to report to the association in 1S33, and continued seven 
years, as the church of Wilna. That of Carthage began in 
1840 to report to the association. 

The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
Carthage, was formed November 28, 1839, with Allen Peck, 
Elijah Horr, Hiram Chambers, Nelson Ruloson, Joel Miller, 
Ebenezer Wheeler, Willard Barrett, William L. Chambers, and 
Joel P. Rice, trustees. A church was built the next summer. 

A Methodist Episcopal Society was formed at Natural Bridge, 
and, about 1840, erected a church. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Wood's Settlement (Wil- 
na) was formed March 26, 1849, with Jonathan W'ood, Peter 
Hanson, and Samuel Barnum, trustees. 

The First Presbyterian Society in Carthage was formed No- 
vember 11, 185], with Hiram McCollom, John Hewitt, and 
Suel Gilbert, trustees. Rev. H. Doane is the present pastor of 
this church, and H. H. Waite the stated supply of the former. 
A Presbyterian Church was formed at Natural Bridge, and a 
society formed, July J13, 1840, with John Camcross, John J. 
Lasher, and Lewis Decker, trustees. A church was soon begun, 
but not finished for several years. This Church belongs to the 
Ogdensburgh (Old School) presbytery. The Presbyterians have 
a small church edifice at Carthage. 

Worth. 

This town was erected from Lorraine, May 2, 1848; the first 
election being held at the school house at Wilcox's Corners. It 
comprises town No. 2, of Boylston's Tract. At a special town 
meeting, held in Lorraine, in February, 1810, the division of the 
town was unanimously voted; but numbers of settlers in this 
part having left soon after, it was not divided. 

Supervisors.— 1848-9, Albert S. Gillett; 1850, Riley W. 
Green; 1851, Jonathan M. Ackley; 1852, Riley W. Green; 
1853, John M. Ackley. The name of the town was'selected by 
a committee chosen for that purpose. Wellington, and Rose- 
ville, were proposed, but rejected. 

The eastern portion of the town was divided up among the 
early proprietors of the Black River Tract, to make their propor- 
tions equal. These tracts, reckoned from the north to the south, 
were: Harrison and Hoffman, 1283; Henderson, 649; Low, 



306 Worth. 

1576; William Constable, 947; the remainder to Harrison, and 
Hoffman, 22,004 acres. The town was, in part, surveyed in 
November, 1801, and May, 1802, under the direction of Abel 
French, by Joseph Crary. Portions have been sold for their 
taxes, and several duplicate numbers occur in the numbering of 
the lots, that have occasioned much difficulty. The town derives 
its name from General W. J. Worth, of the United States army, 
who became personally known in the county, during the patriot 
disturbances in 1838-40. 

Settlements commenced under the agency of Abel French, of 
Denmark, an early and prominent agent, originally from Albany. 
In passing through Herkimer Counry, he succeeded in interesting 
a company of citizens, residing in Litchfield, to purchase, in 
common, a large tract in this town, for the purpose of settlement. 
A committee, consisting of Timothy Greenly, Joseph Wilcox, 
and Elihu Gillet, having visited the tract, and found its location 
and advantages worthy of attention, concluded, on the22d of July, 
1802, a contract, with French, the agent of Daniel McCormick 
and Charles Smith, by which they agreed to pay $7,622 for the 
north-west quarter of No. 2. A deed was afterwards executed 
to them, in trust, for themselves and their associates, and a mort- 
gage given. The tract was divided into lots, and drawn by bal- 
lot by the company, who paid over money as they might be able, to 
the above committee, and received bonds for the delivery of deeds, 
when the purchase money should have enabled them to produce 
a clear title. The company consisted, besides the above, of Asaph 
Case, Leonard Bullock, W. Flower, Eli Gillet, Lodwick Edwards, 
John Griswold, Ezekiel Chever, Phineas Rose, Joel Caulkins, 
Abram Ford, Nathan Matoon, Asa Sweet, John Pinear, Phineas 
Stevens, Elijah and David Richmond, John and William Sagas, 
John Houghtailing, and perhaps a few others, neighbors in Her- 
kimer County, and mostly natives of Connecticut. A few settled 
in 1802, and most of the others in 1803, coming in by way of 
the state road and Redfield, with ox teams, and working their 
way through to their destination, with great difficulty. When 
this was fairly reached, their labors were but begun; and pro- 
visions must be obtained at a distance, with no roads but obscure 
paths, and no vehicles but drays formed from the crotch of a tree, 
and drawn by oxen. In 1805, a rude saw and grist mill, under 
one roof, was got in operation; and in 1806, the first school was 
taught in a log barn, by an elderly woman named Brown. The 
Methodists held meetings from an early period, and are at present 
the only religious organization in town. Settlements were com- 
menced near a small branch of South Sandy Creek, which is 
generally known as Wilcox's Corners, the seat of Worthville 
Post Office. This is about one mile from the south line of Rod- 



Internal Improvements. 307 

man, and two miles from the corner of Pinckney. The settlements 
had made considerable progress, when the rumors of war, that 
filled the country with alarm, induced nearly e\ery settler east 
of the Corners, for a distance of three miles, to abandon the 
town, and retire to a more interior place. This, with the cold 
seasons that followed, nearly annihilated the settlement, which 
was abandoned to a common; the mortgage was foreclosed, and 
the greater part of the land reverted to the proprietors. To those 
who remained, a reasonable clemency was extended, and the 
foreclosure, upon the whole, did no injury to the town. 

In 1845, an edifice, for the purpose of schools and meetings, 
was built at the Corners; and during the last five years, the 
town has rapidly increased in population in the south part. 
About one quarter of the town, along the east and south line, is 
still a forest, and a considerable portion bears the aspect of a 
new country. From its great elevation, it is somewhat liable to 
frosts and deep snows; but it is well watered, and the soil is found 
to be finely adapted to grazing, and much less liable to drouth 
than the flat country, underlayed by limestone, nearer the lake 
and north of Black River. The surface is undulating, and less 
broken by gulphs than Lorraine. The rock is Lorraine shale, 
in some places covered by drift; and several sulphur springs 
occur in town. 



CHAPTER V. 

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 

It is instructive to trace the rise and progress of those improve- 
ments and means of communication, by the aid of which, a 
country has arisen in the brief space of half a century, from a 
howling wilderness to a fertile and highly cultivated district, 
producing from its soil all the necessaries of life, and affording 
by the exchange of its surplus products every means of enjoy- 
ment which civilization has invented, or the most refined con- 
dition of social life required. The following petition from 
Arthur Noble and Baron Steuben to the legislature in 1791, is 
probably the first that was ever offered for the benefit of this 
section of the state. 

"To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York. 
The petition of the subscribers humbly sheweth: That^ line of 



308 French Road. 

road from the Little Falls, on the Mohawk River, to the 
falls on the Black River, which runs into Lake Ontario, 
would be attended with infiniie advantages to this state, not 
only by opening a trade with the flourishing settlement of Ca- 
daroque, and that part of Canada, by which all goods and mer- 
chandize could be transported from New York for half the ex- 
pense that they are by the present route by the river St. 
Lawrence, but that it would, likewise, very much enhance the 
value of a large tract of land that this state has to dispose of, 
on and near ihe said river, and very much facilitate the settle- 
ment of that country. That it is humbly submitted to the legis- 
1 iture to appoint commissioners to explore, lay out and have 
said road made, and to appropriate a sum of money or lands for 
that purpose, the distance being between fifty and sixty miles; 
and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will pray. 

Arthur Noble. 

Steuben." 

The committee to whom was referred the petition of Arthur 
Noble and William Baron de Steuben, report: that the prayer 
of their petition ought to be granted, and that a bili be prepared 
and brought in, authorizing the commissioners of the land office 
to set apart a tract of land for the purpose of defraying the 
expense in exploring, laying out, and opening a road from the 
Little Falls, on the Mohawk River, to the falls on the Black 
River, or in such direction as to the said commissioners shall 
seem most conducive to the interests of the state. We have not 
been able to ascertain that this was done. 

Jacob Brown, at a very early day, had taken active measures 
for continuing the road which the French settlers had opened 
to the High Falls, while forming their settlement at the latter 
place, down the west side of the Black River valley to the St. 
Lawrence. The first settlers had found their way into the coun- 
try by using the navigable channel of the Black River, from the 
High Falls to the present village of Carthage, or by the tedious 
and perilous navigation of the lake, by way of Oswego. 

In anticipation of settlement, Rodolph Tillier had caused to 
be opened, at the expense of the French Company, a route from 
the High Falls, east of Black River, to near the Great Bend, from 
which it continued in a line nearly direct to the present village 
of Clayton. A branch from this diverged to the head of naviga- 
tion on Black River Bay, but these roads, although cleared and 
the stumps removed, had no bridges, and, consequently, were of no 
use to the early settlers. It is said, as an evidence of the incom- 
petence of this agent for effecting these improvements, that upon 
its being represented to him that bridges were indispensable to 



The Oswegatchie Road. 309 

the road, he replied; — that he had reserved fifty dollars fur 
that very purpose. This road fell entirely into disuse, and it 
is doubtful whether a rod of it is now traveled. The first tra- 
velled road in the county north of Black River, owes its origin 
to Judge Nathan Ford, of Ogdensburgh, whose indomitable 
energy enabled him to encounter the difficulties of a new settle- 
ment, with a success seldom equaled. He was a man eminently 
distinguished for his zeal and enterprise in wha'ever related to 
internal improvements, and the public welfare in general. In his 
correspondence with the landholders of Macomb's Purchase, he 
frequently uiged the matter in the most forcible language, and as 
these letters will serve not only to convey an idea of the times, 
but also of the characteristics of the man, we will make from 
them a few extracts. 

To Stephen Van Rensselaer he wrote, December 30, 1799: 
" You will allow me the liberty of stating my ideas upon the 
utility of a road being cut through from some part of their town- 
ships upon the St. Lawrence to the Mohawk River. If this could 
be made a state object, it would be productive of two good ef- 
fects to the proprietors: — first, it would save them a considerable 
sum of money; and, second, it would hold out an idea to those 
who intend to emigrate, of the real value of this country, a strong 
evidence of which would be the legislature's interesting itself. 

If Mr. Brown has succeeded in getting the road to old John- 
stown, I take it that half of the expense is over, for I do not be- 
lieve it is above fifty or fifty-five miles from here to get to where 
that begins. 

It is, in my opinion, unreasonable to expect any very heavy 
and important settlements to be made, unless there is a road 
which will shorten the distance to Albany. I have taken much 
pains to ascertain the probable distance to Albany, and I dare 
venture it as an opinion that it will not overrun 150 miles from 
this very spot. I am confident it will fall rather short than other- 
wise. This road, once cut out, will immediately be settled upon, 
and if it should be nothing more than a winter road at first, the 
advantage would be immense. 

The difficulty of getting to this country with families is be- 
yond what is generally supposed. The present road through the 
Chateaugay country accommodates the few who emigrate from 
the upper part of Vermont, but the immense flood of people who 
emigrate to the westward, go there because they have no choice. 
This road once opened as contemplated, the emigration would 
soon turn this way, not only because the distance would be less 
than to the Genesee, but also because the lands are better and more 
advantageously situated. If the legislature will not take up the 
business, I am fully of opinion the proprietors will find their ac- 



310 The Oswegatchie Road. 

count in cutting out the road at their own expense. I should 
suppose those who own in the Big Purchase would unite partially 
in the thing, for that land can never settle until a road is cut. 
The traveling and commerce which go to Albany from Upper 
Canada, will far surpass the most sanguine idea. I am confident 
the farmer from this country will take his produce as easily to 
Albany as he can to Montreal, and he is sure of going to a bet- 
ter market. Over and above this (which is a sufficient reason 
for inducing them this way), is, that generally speaking, those 
who have settled on the opposite side of the St. Lawrence, are 
from the North and Mohawk rivers, and their connections are 
there. So they have a double advantage of seeing their friends 
and doing their business upon more advantageous principles. 
Vast numbers of the most leading farmers in that country, have 
assured me they would go to Albany in preference to Montreal, 
if it took them three days longer. I am confident the commerce 
that would flow into Albany through the medium of this road, 
would very soon reimburse the state for the expense. Those who 
live on our own side of the river, are compelled from necessity 
to trade at Montreal. This is the case with myself. My incli- 
nation is to trade to Albany, but it is impossible. It is highly 
politic to prevent if possible, the commerce of this country from 
falling into a regular system through Montreal; for when people 
once form mercantile connections, it is vastly difficult to divert 
and turn the current into a new channel. I see no rational mode 
but having the road cut, to secure to Albany so desirable an ob- 
ject. I have taken the liberty of stating my ideas upon this 
subject, which, if they should meet yours, I trust and hope you 
will take such steps as will secure a benefit to the state, as well 
as promote the interest of the proprietors and settlers. 

Concerning this survey, Ford wrote, Sept. 27, 1801, to Thomas 
L. Ogden, as follows: 

"Dear Sir. — I have most impatiently waited until the present 
time, to give you that information upon the subject of the road, 
which I know you are anxious to receive. It is but a few days 
since Edsal finished the survey; and Capt. Tibbet's setting out 
for Schenectady to-morrow, alfords me the earliest opportunity I 
have had. From the east branch of Oswegatchie Lake, to the 
Ox Bow, and from there on to the High Falls, Edsal runs a line 
agreeable to the plan proposed by Mr. Morris, and I am sorry to 
add, soon after leaving the Ox Bow, he came to a most intolerable 
swampy and ridgy ground, growing worse and worse as he 
progressed, and, before he reached the High Falls, became so 
perfectly confident of the impracticability of a road, as well as 
the impossibility of settlement, that he abandoned the idea, went 
to Castorville, and from thence to the head of the Long Falls. 



The Oswegatchie Road. 311 

From the information I had been able to collect from various 
quarters, I was apprehensive it would be impossible to obtain 
our object by that route, in consequence of which, I directed 
Edsal, in case he should find it as he really has, to go to the head 
of the Long Falls, and run a line from there to the Ox Bow, and 
I am happy to tell you, that an excellent road may be had that 
way, and without adding to the distance. And a further advan- 
tage arises, by crossing the Black River, at the Long Falls, is, 
we fall into the Black River road, which saves us the expense of 
cutting 30 miles. This I view as a great object, particularly so, 
as our distance is not increased thereby. How far Mr. Morris 
will feel disposed to go on in the subscription he has made, I do 
not know, but 1 do not doubt he will still do what is generous, 
for the French lands will be as well, nay, better accommodated 
by the road, running as it does, than it would by going to the 
High Falls. I shall write him fully upon the subject, and when 
you see him, I wish you to converse with him about it. 

I have contracted with Edsal for making the road from Louis- 
ville to the east branch of Black Lake, at 16 dollars per mile; 
the road to be cut and cleared one rod, cradle-knolls and sides 
of ridges to be leveled; small crossways and bridges over small 
streams to be made. 1 have also contracted for 8 miles of the 
road beyond east branch, west, at the same terms, and expect to 
contract for the whole soon. Where it falls into the road already 
cut in Madrid and Louisville, deduction is to be made, as much 
as the cutting those roads cost. 

In running through Lisbon, and going to the north of the Big 
Swamp, the introduction into, and through Madrid, will be along 
the road already cut, and I think it no more than proper, to allow 
you upon your subscription, the price that road has cost you. If 
I am not very much mistaken, you told me it was not of much 
consequence to you, if it should happen to be the case. I am of 
opinion, it will be more advantageous to you, to have the road 
there, than where you first talked of. I wish I could have the 
road come as nigh to me, as it does to you. 

From the west line of Madrid, to the East Branch 

(Oswegatchie River), is I3miles. 

From East Branch to Ox Bow, 26 " 

From Ox Bow to West Branch of Oswegatchie Lake 

(Indian River), 13 " 

From West Branch to head of Long Falls (Carthage) 13 " 
From Long Falls to Shaler's (Turin), (is good road) 30 " 
From Shaler's to Albany, through ttie Royal Grant 
and Old Johnstown, _• 90 " 

Carried forward, _ _. 185 " 



312 The Oswegatchie Road. 

Brought forward, 185 miles. 

Allow, that I may not be correct in the last state- 
ment (though I am pretty sure), 5 " 



* 190 miles. 

There will be the crosswaying and the bridging to be done; 
these two things will cost considerable, but running the road as 
I have laid it out, will cost us certainly not more than half as 
much as it would to go by the High Falls. Edsal says, he is 
confident, that the road from Ox Bow r to High Falls, would not 
be made for a much larger sum than 2,000 dollars, and then it 
would be through a country which would not settle; now, we 
have a fine country all the way. Tuttle has paid the money, and 
Edsal thinks he will be able to furnish part of the draft you gave 
me. I shall not want it all this fall, unless the fall should be a 
very fine one, in which case I hope 1o seethe greater part of the 
business of cutting done. I have put the petition upon the sub- 
ject of the county, into the hands of Turner and Tibbet, for 
signatures, who say they will do all in their power to promote 
the thing. I shall bring it to Albany with me. 

I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting you this winter at 
Albany, and I hope you will in the mean time do all in your 
power to help the thing forward. I expected to have heard from 
you, upon the subject of the road from Salmon River to the 
townships. 

Pray, has the Patroon consented to our road, and subscribed, 
or does he still cast a languishing eye to Schroon Lake? 

Be pleased to make my respects to Mrs. Ogden and your family. 

Believe me to be with every wish for your health and happiness, 
Your humble servant, 
Thomas L. Ogden, Esq., New York." N. Ford. 

This road from Salmon River, referred to, was a part of a 
system of roads that originated with George Scriba, Nathan 
Sage, and others, of Oswego County, that was designed to ex- 
tend from the Salt Works to Redfield, and thence through as 
directly as possible to Champion and St. Lawrence County. A 
letter by Nathan Sage, before us, on this subject, to Judge 
Hubbard, of Champion, at a later period (October 24, 18 10), 
says: 

"The first object is, to open the shortest route to the Salt Springs, 
and a communication to the Genesee country, and those parts 

* These distances are found to be, as follows : Oswegatchie River at Heu- 
velton, to Ox Bow, nearly as above stated. From Ox Bow to Indian River, 
7 miles; from thence to Carthage, 16^ miles; from thence to Shaler's old 
settlement, (now Constableville), 3? miles. 



The Oswegatchie Road. 313 

adjacent to them. The people south and west are very anxious 
for this road, and will use all their influence. Mr. Scriba has 
petitions in circulation in those sections. I shall put some in 
circulation here, and hope you will endeavor to do all you can 
in your section. I look on this road as of the greatest importance 
to this part of the state, and make no doubt that if subscribers 
are obtained, and some careful influential man be employed to 
attend, and your members influence themselves, aid can be got 
by a lottery for this purpose." 

In a letter to Gouverneur Morris, dated September 27, 1801, 
Mr. Ford recapitulates the substance of the previous one to Og- 
den, apologizes for the necessity of going to the Long Falls, 
instead of through the French lands, and adds: 

" You will be pleased to say how, and in what proportion, 
the liberal subscription you have made shall be applied. 1 
lament that the country through to the High Falls is so bad. 
Should the road be cut through, the country will not admit of 
settlement; consequently, the object that way must be abandoned. 
I have presumed you would not wholly withdraw your patronage, 
because there are your own lands, as well as part of the French 
lands, which will be materially benefited. I have contracted for 
about one-half the road from Louisville to the Long Falls, and 
I expect to close a contract for the remainder very shortly. The 
greai object of a road to this country to us all, and that route 
being the most practicable one, has induced me to hazard the 
completion of it upon the subscriptions we have obtained. I 
wish there had been a sum subscribed that would have justified a 
wider and better road; but so it is, and we must make the best 
of it. My contract is to cut out trees eighteen inches and 
under, — sixteen and a half feet wide, cradle knolls, and side hills 
to be dug down, small crossways and small bridges over small 
runs to be made, and stumps to be cut so low as not to obstruct 
a wheel, and large trees to be girdled. For doing this, I give 
sixteen dollars per mile. Bridges and crossways are a separate 
thing, and must be the subject of future contracts. I hope to 
have much of the road finished this fall. 

" From the lower line of Louisville to the East Branch, which 
the road crosses about 3| miles from the Forks (site of the vil- 
lage of Heuvelton), 33 miles; from East Branch to Ox Bow, 26; 
from Ox Bow to head of Long Falls, 26; from Long Falls to 
Shaler's, 30; from Shaler's to Albany, by the way of the Royal 
Grant and Johnstown, 90. I possibly may not be correct in the 
last distance, but I am pretty confident I am; but allow 5 miles, 
gives 210 miles. This is the distance upon this route to Alba- 
ny, by which your land is brought within 170 miles of Albany; 



314 The Oswegatchie Road. 

which, I will venture to say, is the most practicable route that 
will be had to that city, from the St. Lawrence. 

I am, sir, as ever, your humble servant, 

N. Ford. 
The Hon. G. Morris, Esq." 

To Samuel Ogden, Mr. Ford wrote, October 29, 1801: 
" Dear Sir. — I wrote you the 27th of last month, which I 
hope you have received. In that I told you I was pushing at 
the road, and it gives me much pleasure, that, by a little extra- 
ordinary exertion, I shall get the whole of it so far completed, 
that I intend finding my way through with a sleigh this winter. 
If I could have but one month longer I would have it all bridged; 
but the season is too far advanced and forbids my attempting it. 
I have spared no pains to get the road on the best ground. I was 
not satisfied with Edsal's first return of the road, and sent him 
back to explore the ground again, between the Ox Bow and the 
head of the Long Falls; the result of which was better ground, 
and four miles saved in distance. My intention is to set out in 
January, with as many sleighs as I can muster, and break the 
road through, and advertise the thing in all the northern papers, 
so as to get people traveling through this winter. The present 
opportunity only gives me time to tell you how much I am, 

Yours, N. Ford." 

To T. L. Ogden, on the same date, he wrote: 

" I wrote you the 27th of last month, which I hope you have 
received. In that I told you what were my prospects about the 
road, &c. The present opportunity affords me only time to tell 
you, I shall have the whole so far completed, that I expect to 
blunder through it this winter, with a sleigh, and I hope to induce 
many to follow the example. In order to get the road in as much 
forwardness as I have, has required much exertion; but the at- 
taining of the desired object is a gratification, which will atone 
for a little slavery." 

To Samuel Ogden, Mr. Ford wrote, November 29, 1801. 

" It is with pleasure I announce to you my having finished 
cutting the road, and all the logs are turned, excepting about eight 
miles, and the party goes out to-morrow morning to finish that; 
after which I think the road may be said to be passable for sleighs, 
although there is considerable digging yet to be done, as well as 
crossways. If I could have had three weeks longer, I could now 
have pronounced it one of the best roads in any new country. I 
have had crossways made over the worst places, and a bridge 
over the west branch of Black Lake (Indian River), eighty feet 



The Osicegatchie Road. 315 

long, and I should have had the bridge over the east branch 
(Oswegatchie River), but I was fearful of being caught by the 
tall rains. That is a bridge which must be twelve rods long. 

If I live and have my health next summer, I will have that a road, 
which shall be drove with loaded wagons, for I have no idea of 
putting with such a thing as they have made through Chatauguay, 
which scarcely deserves the name of an apology for a road. 
However, I do not know, but it will be good enough for the use 
that will be made of it, after ours becomes finished. I expect the 
ice will serve as a bridge over the East Branch, this winter. 
From the East Branch, where the road crosses, I have cut a road 
to this place, and about the 1st of January I intend to break the 
road through to the Long Falls (Carthage), and find my way to 
Albany, by this new route. 

A little extraordinary exertion has made the road, and a little 
exertion will break it, for I am determined to have it traveled 
this winter, by which we shall gain one year." 

The road was at first opened by a subscription among the land 
holders, and its continuation through Lewis County was long 
known as the Oswegatchie mad. The sums raised by these means 
proved inadequate to build the road of the character which the 
country demanded; and narrow, sectional, and local jealousies 
were found to embarrass the enterprise. Of these, Mr. Ford, in 
a subsequent letter, says: " If I could have effected any thing 
with the proprietors, as to the road, it would have given a great 
spring to emigration; but they conducted themselves with such 
parsimony, that I abandoned the thing to its fate, after leaving 
them my proposition." 

It was next attempted, with success, to obtain state patronage 
for this work; and on the 9th of April, 1804, a lottery was cre- 
ated for the purpose of raising the sum of $22,000, with ten per 
cent added, for expenses to construct a road from Troy to Green- 
wich, and " from, or near the head of the Long Falls, in the 
County of Oneida, to the mjlls of Nathan Ford, at Oswegatchie, 
in St. Lawrence County." The latter was to be six rods wide, 
and Nathan Ford, Alexander J. Turner, and Joseph Edsell, 
were appointed commissioners for making it. Owners of im- 
proved lands might require payment for damages. $12,000 of 
the above sum was appropriated for this road. If any person 
thought proper to advance money for either road, he might pay 
it into the treasury, to be repaid with interest out of the avails 
of the lottery. Vacancies in the office of commissioners were to 
be filled by the governor. They were to be paid $1*50 per day. 
The summer of 1805 was devoted to the location and opening 
of the road, and on the 26th of October, 1805, Judge Ford 
wrote: 

21 



316 The Oswegatchie Road. 

" I have just returned from laying out the State Road between 
Ogdensburgh and the Long* Falls upon Black River, and I am 
happy to tell you we have made great alterations (from the old 
road), for the better, also as well as shortening the distance. This 
business took me nine days, and most of the time it was stormy, 
disagreeable weather. The difficulty 1 find in forming a plan 
how our lottery money can be laid out to the best advantage, 
makes me wish for some abler head than mine, to consult, or 
those with whom I am associated in the commission. To contract 
by the mile is very difficult, and to contract by the job, compre- 
hending the whole distance, is still worse. After consulting and 
turning the business in all the ways and shapes it is capable of, 
I proposed to my colleague the propriety of employing a man of 
reputation, who had weight of character equal to the procuring 
of thirty good hands to be paid by the month, and he to super- 
intend the business; the superintendent to be handsomely paid, 
and he to carry on and conduct the business under the direction 
of the commissioners. This plan we have adopted, and 1 trust I 
have found a man who is fully competent to the task,* and we 
shall make our engagements to begin on the 25th of May. I 
hope nothing will interfere, which will obstruct our progressing. 
I am sorry to say I am not wholly without my fears, although 1 
durst not whisper such an idea. You would be astonished to see 
how much pains are taken to counteract this object, by those 
who are settling lands to the east of us; and you would be equally 
astonished to see the exertion there is now making to get ioads 
in every direction to Lake Champlain. Their exertion is by no 
means fruitless, for they have worked through with several. This 
I, however, am happy to see; notwithstanding it produces to us 
a temporary evil, it will eventually be a thing which can not fail 
to produce to us solid advantages; because, through these avenues, 
we shall ultimately reap as great advantages as they will. All 
that can be said of the thing is, they are now enjoying the first 
fruits." 

An act was passed March 26, 1803, for opening and improving 
certain great roads of the state, with the proceeds of a lottery, 
to be drawn under the supervision of Philip Ten Eyck, Thomas 
Storm, William Henderson, Mathias B. Tallmadge, and Jacobus 
Van Schootihoven. The fund, so raised, was intended to be chiefly 
applied to the opening of roads in the Black River country, and 
was limited to $41,500. The following sections will give more 
fully the intentions of the act. 

" And be it further enacted-. That it shall be lawful for the 
person administering the government of this state, by and with 

* David Seymour, of Springfield, Vt.. the father of George N. Seymour, Esq., 
of Ogdensburgh. 



The Oswegatchie Road. 317 

the advice and consent of the council of appointment, to appoint 
three or more commissioners, to open and improve the road as 
laid out by Peter Colt and Nathan Sage, from Rome to Brown- 
ville, on the Black River; and that the said commissioners so 
appointed, shall extend the said road, from Brownville to the 
St. Lawrence River, so as to have the best ground for a road, and 
the most convenient ferry across the said water to Kingstown, in 
the province of Upper Canada. 

And be it farther enacted: That it shall be lawful for the per- 
son administering the government of this state, by and with the 
consent of the council of appointment, to appoint three or more 
commissioners, to lay out and improve a road from within two 
miles from Preston's tavern, in the town of Steuben; thence 
to within three miles of the High Falls of Black River; thence 
through the towns of Turin, Lowville, Champion, Rutland, Wa- 
tertown, and Brownville, so as to intersect the aforesaid road, 
between the Black River and the south bounds of great No. IV, 
of Macomb's Purchase. 

And be it further enacted: That it shall be lawful for the per- 
son administering the government of this state, by and with the 
advice and consent of the council of appointment, to appoint 
one or more, not exceeding three commissioners, to lay out a 
road from within two miles of Preston's Tavern, in the town of 
Steuben, as aforesaid, to Johnstown, or as near Johnstown as the 
nature of the ground and the general interests of the Black River 
country require; and, that when this part of the road shall have 
been so laid out, the commissioners, for laying out, opening, and 
improving the road through the Black River country, generally, 
shall open and improve it." 

Of the avails of this lottery, $10,000 were applied for opening 
a road through Washington, Essex, and Clinton counties to the 
province line, and $1,500 for a bridge over the west branch of 
the Hudson. 

Nathan Sage, Henry Huntington, and Jacob Brown, were ap- 
pointed commissioners for opening the road above mentioned, 
passing through Redfield, and these were, by an act passed April 
9, 1804, authorized and empowered to make such deviations on 
said route as they deemed proper, notwithstanding the provision 
in the original act. 

On the 25th of February, 1805, Henry McNeil, George Doo- 
little, and Bill Smith, were appointed to lay out a road in as 
direct a route as practicable, from Whitesboro through Deerfield 
and Floyd, to Turin to intersect the state road that runs along 
the Black River. 

Jacob Brown, Walter Martin, and Peter Schuyler, were appoin- 
ted under the act. of March 26th 1803, to locate the road 



318 State Roads. 

through the Black River valley, which has since, until recently, 
been known as the Slate Road, and $30,000 were expended un- 
der that act. Silas Stow acted a short time as one of the com- 
missioners, both on the Black River and the Johnstown section, 
with Brown, Martin, and Schuyler. 

An act of April 8, 1S08, Augustus Sacket, David I. Andrus, 
and John Meacham were empowered" to lay out a public road 
four rods wide, commencing at such place in Brownville or 
Houndsfield as shall, in the opinion of the commissioners, best 
unite with the great road leading from Rome to the river St. 
Lawrence at Putman's Ferry, and pursuing such route as in their 
opinion shall best accommodate the public in general, to the vil- 
lage of Salina. 

By an act of April 2, 1813, the surveyor-general was "au- 
thorized ami required to sell and dispose of so much of the unap- 
propriated lands of this state, on a credit of twelvemonths, lying 
in the county of Oneida, called the Fish Creek Land, as shall raise 
the sum of $4. GOO, and the same is hereby appropriated for im- 
proving the road from Sackets Harbor, on Lake Ontario, to the 
village of Rome, in the county of Oneida, being the road hereto- 
fore laid out by commissioners appointed by the state, and pay 
the same over to Henry Huntington, Clark Allen and Dan Taft, 
who are hereby appointed superintendents to take charge of the 
expenditures of the said sum, for the objects aforesaid." These 
men were required to give security to double the amount of the 
trust, and were to be paid two dollars per day. 

The road thus opened, subsequently became a stage route, and 
one of the principal avenues into the county, and it repeatedly 
became an object of state legislation and patronage. In 1807, 
active efforts were made in Oneida and Lewis counties, to obtain 
a lottery for improving the road from Whitesboro to Utica, but 
failed in consequence of the number of similar applications from 
other localities. 

An act was passed April 1, 1814, appointing William Smith, 
George Brayton and Benjamin "Wright to lay out a road from 
Salina to Smith's Mills (Adams), to intersect at that place, the 
State Road from Rome, through Redfiekl and Lorraine, to Brown- 
ville. The sum of $5,000, derived from duties on salt and a tax 
on the adjacent lands that were to receive direct and immediate 
benefit from the road, were applied for its construction. The 
road was completed to Adams, and was long known as the Salt 
Point Road, or State Road. 

On the 17th of April, 1816, a State Road was directed to be 
laid out by Robert Mc Dowell,Eben Lucas, and Abel Cole, from 
Lowville to Henderson Harbor, which was surveyed, but the 
whole of it was not opened. It was principally designed to be- 



State Roads. 319 

nefit lands in Pinckney and the other thinly settled townships, 
but never became of public importance. It was to be opened 
with moneys derives from taxes on adjacent lands. 

A road from French Creek to Watertown was, by an act of 
April 1, 1824, directed to be made under the direction of Amos 
Stebbins, Azariah Doane and Henry H. Coffeen. It was to be 
opened and worked as a public road in the towns through which 
it passed, it being expected that the commissioners would secure 
its location in such a manner as to secure the public interests 
only. 

An act of April IS, 1828, provided for improving the public 
road between Canton and Antwerp by a tax on lands to be bene- 
fited. 

By an act of April 19, 1834, Loren Bailey, Azariah Walton, 
and Eldridge* G. Merrick were appointed to lay out a road along 
the St. Lawrence, from near the line of Lyme and Clayton to 
Chippewa Bay, in Hammond. The cost, not exceeding $100 
per mile, was to be taxed to adjacent lands; and in 1836, 1838, 
and 1839 the act was amended and extended. 

A State Road from Carthage to Lake Champlain was, by an 
act of April 4, 1841, authorized to be laid out by Nelson J. 
Beach of Lewis County, David Judd of Essex, and Nathan In- 
gerson of Jefferson Counties. The act was amended April 18, 
1843, April 30, 1844, and April 15, 1847, and the road has been 
surveyed and opened the whole distance. Much of it lays 
through an uninhabited forest. 

The enterprise of individual proprietors led, at an early day, 
to the opening of extended lines of roads, among which was the 
Morris and Hammond Road, the Alexandria Road, &c. The 
tour of President Monroe in 1817 probably led to the project of 
uniting the two prominent military stations of Plattsburgh and 
Sackets Harbor by a military road, which was soon after be- 
gun. A report of John C. Calhoun, then Secretary of War, 
dated January 7, 1819, mentions this among other national 
works then in progress. The labor was done by relief parties of 
soldiers from these garrisons, who received an extra allowance of 
fifteen cents, and a gill of whiskey daily. The western extremity 
ty, from Sackeis Harbor, through Brownville, Pamelia Four 
Corners, and Redwood to Hammond, and from Plattsburgh to 
the east line of Franklin County, only were completed. The 
care of the general government ended with the opening of these 
roads, and the portion in this county has been maintained as a 
town road. 

Turnpikes. — The Oneida and Jefferson Turnpike Company 
was incorporated April 8, 1808, for the purpose of making a 
road, by the most eligible route, from the house of James Tryon, in 



320 Turnpikes. 

Rome, by way of David Butler's, in Redfield, and the south branch 
of Sandy Creek, in Malta (Lorraine) and thence to Putnam's Ferry, 
(two miles below Cape Vincent), on the St. Lawrence. The 
persons named in the act were Nathan Sage, Peter Colt, Augus- 
tus Sacket, Jacob Brown, David Smith, and Eliphalet Edmonds. 
Capital, 4700 shares of $25 each. A company with the same 
name, and a capital of $20,000, was chartered May 3, 1834, and 
amended April 13, 1835, but never got into efficient operation. 
The commissioners named were Elisha Camp, Thomas C. Chitten- 
den, Clark Allen, Ira Seymour, Nelson Darley, and Alanson 
Bennet. 

The St. Lawrence Turnpike Company, formed April 5, 1810, of 
twenty-nine leading landholders of northern New York, headed 
by J. Le Ray, built, in 1812-13, a turnpike from a point 5-^- miles 
north of Carthage to Bangor, Franklin County. They were in 
1813 released from completing the termination which had origi- 
nally been intended to be the Long Falls andMalone. The road 
was opened under the supervision of Russell Atlwater, and built 
from the proceeds of lands subscribed for its construction along 
the route. During the war it was a source of great profit, but 
afterwards fell into disuse, and the company were, by an act of 
April 17, 1827, allowed to abandon it to the public. 

7 he Ogdensburgh Turnpike Company, formed June 8, 1812, 
capita], $50,000, and mainly sustained by David Parish, soon after 
built a turnpike from Carthage to Ogdensburgh by way of An- 
twerp, Rossie and Morristown. This was also, by an act of April 
1826, surrendered to the public. Few persons better deserve 
honorable mention for their liberality in contributing to public 
improvement, than David Parish, whose share of expense in 
opening the Ogdensburgh turnpike was $40,000, and in the St. 
Lawrence, upwards of $10,000. Mr. Le Ray is also equally de- 
serving of remembrance as the early and constant benefactor of 
these improvements, and his expenditures on these were doubt- 
less greater than those of any other person. 

By an act passed March 30, 1811, the governor was to ap- 
point commissioners to lay out two turnpikes. One of these was 
to pass from Lwville, by way of Munger's Mills (Copenha- 
gen), and Watertown, to Brownville; the other from Munger's 
Mills to Sacketts Harbor. The former of these was to be called 
the Black River and Sackets Harbor Turnpike, with a capital 
of $37,500, in shares of twenty-five dollars each. Daniel Kelley, 
John Paddock, and John Brown, with their associates, were to 
constitute the company. Elisha Camp, Corlis Hinds, and Thomas 
M. Converse, were to constitute a company under the name of 
the Sacketts Harbor Turnpike Company, for building the latter, 
with a capital of $20,000, in shares of twenty dollars each. 
Neither of these roads were built. 



Turnpikes. 321 

On the 13th of February, 1812, Mr. Le Ray addressed the 
following memorial to the Legislature: 

" To the Honorable, the Legislature of the State of New York: 

The petition of James Le Ray, de Chaumont, respectfully 
sheweth: That the St. Lawrence Turnpike Road, leading from 
the Black River to the town of Malone, in Franklin County, is 
now opened the whole of the distance, and it is expected will be 
completed in the course of this year. That a direct road, lead- 
ing from the Black River, opposite the village of Watertown, 
and intersecting the river St. Lawrence, in the town of Le Ray, 
would, in the opinion of your petitioners, greatly promote the 
public convenience; that the country through which such road 
would have to pass, is in a great measure unsettled, and the set- 
tlement and improvement of which would be much promoted by 
a good road. Your petitioners would also beg leave further to 
represent, that the road leading from the village of Chaumont 
to the village of Cape Vincent, on the river St. Lawrence, oppo- 
site Kingston, in Upper Canada, a distance of about eleven 
miles, passes through a very level and an unsettled tract of coun- 
try, and is at present much out of repair, and during the greater 
part of the year so miry as to be almost impassable; that by 
reason of this road being in such situation, persons traveling 
through the Black River country, to Upper Canada, are obliged, 
during the summer season, to submit to the inconvenience and 
risk of crossing Lake Ontario — a navigation by no means safe, 
especially in open boats; that in case the said road was so im- 
proved that it could be safely and conveniently passed by horses 
and carriages at all seasons of the year, the public convenience, 
as well as the settlement and cultivation of that part of the 
country, would, in the opinion of your petitioner, be greatly 
promoted. 

Your petitioner therefore humbly requests your honorable body 
to authorize him, by law, to make a turnpike road, from the 
village of Chaumont, in the town of Brownville, to the village 
of Cape Vincent, on the river St. Lawrence, and from the Black 
River, opposite the village of Watertown, to intersect the St. 
Lawrence Turnpike Road, at or near where the same crosses the 
Indian River, in the town of Le Ray; upon such conditions, and 
under such limitations and restrictions, as you, in your wisdom, 
shall think fit to impose. And he, as in duty bound, will ever 
pray, &c James Le Ray de Chamount, 

By his Attorney, V. Le Ray de Chamount" 

The war which soon ensued diverted attention for a time from 
this improvement; but, on the 31st of March, 1815, an act was 



322 Plank Roads. 

passed, empowering Le Ray to build the Cape Vincent Turnpike 
from that place to Perch River. Elisha Camp, Musgrove Evans, 
and Robert Mc Dowel were named commissioners tor locating it 
in such a manner as to best promote the public interests; the 
usual provisions were made, as with companies, to obtain the 
right of way, and Mr. LeRay was not compelled to build a bridge 
over Chaumont River. On the 12th of April, 1816, he was allow- 
ed to extend the road to Brownville village. By an act of April 
21, 1831, this road was surrendered to the public, and with it 
ended the era of turnpikes in Jefferson County. 

Plank Roads. — Measures were taken for building plank roads 
soon after the passage of the general law. The first one built 
was from Watertown to Sachets, Harbor, ten miles of which (the 
half toward Watertown) was inspected June 13, 1848, and the 
remainder 10th of August. The company had been formed Au- 
gust 7, 1847. The first plank road inspectors were appointed 
November 17, 1847, and were William Wood, Samuel Boyden 
and Walter Collins. 

During 1849-50-1, numerous roads were constructed, which 
will Tie named in the order of their connection and locality. 
The Lowville and Carthage Plank Road, one mile ten rods, in 
this county, inspected August 4, 1849; the Carthage and Jin- 
twerp Planh Road, first four miles finished September 21, 1849; 
the whole, sixteen and one-fourth miles, inspected November 13, 
1849: survey recorded May 11, 1849. The Sterlingbush and 
JVorth Wilna Planh Road, just built, and connecting the last 
road with the village of Louisburgh, or Sterlingbush, in Lewis 
County; the articles of association dated May 10th 1853. The 
Gouverneur, Somerville and Antwerp Planh Road, survey re- 
corded August 27, 1849; five miles, seventy-two chains and sev- 
enty links of this road in this county inspected November 14, 
1849. A continuous line of plank roads connect this with Og- 
densburgh, Canton, and the depot of Canton and Madrid, on the 
Northern Rail Road. One mile from Antwerp Village, this road 
connects with the Hammond, Rossie and Antwerp Planh Road, 
which was formed January 23, 1850; seven miles in this 
county inspected October 24, 1850; length twenty miles, pass- 
ing through Rossie Village, mostly on the line of the Ogdensburgh 
Turnpike, and connecting by plank road with the village and port 
of Morristown. Several very expensive grading and rock cut- 
ting occurs on this road. At the Village of Ox Bow, in An- 
twerp, it connects with the Evans' Mills and Ox Bow Planh 
Road, 17 miles long; recorded February 27, 1852; completed in 
June, 1852. The Pamelia and Evan's Mills Planh Road con- 
tinues this route to Watertown, nine and three-fourths miles long; 
completed June 15, 1850. Antwerp is connected with W T ater- 



Plank Roads. 323 

town by the following roads: The Antwerp, Sterlingville and 
Great Bend Plank Road, formed December 5, 1848,ftwelve and 
three-eighths miles long, completed August 27, 1849; the Wa- 
tertoion and Great Bend Plank Road, ten miles completed late 
in 1849. 

This passes through the villages of Black River and Felts' Mills. 
At the village of Great Bend, this and the former road connect with 
the Great Bend and Copenhagen Plank Road, of which nine miles 
are in the county; completed JNovember 31, 1849. This road passes 
through Champion Village, and has an expensive grade near 
Pleasant Lake, in that town. It connects with the Rutland and 
ChampionPlank Road, 7miles71 chains long which is laid on the 
former main road between Copenhagen to Watertown, to the line 
of the latter near the " Big Hill," three and one-half miles from 
Watertown Village, completed August 30, 1849. By the Water- 
town Plank and Turnpike Road, this line is continued to Water- 
town Village. This road, three and one-half miles long, was 
completed September 11, 1849. The Watertown Central Rail 
Road, two miles long, completed August 11, 1849, was at first 
designed to connect with other roads, forming a line of plank 
roads to Syracuse, but the completion of the railroad has inde- 
finitely postponed this plan. The Adams and Ellisburgh Plank 
Road, through these towns, was recorded February 14, 1849, 
and 10 miles 239 rods, inspected June 17, 1849. It is continuous 
of roads to Syracuse, Oswego, &c. 

The Dexter, Brownville, and Pamelia Plank Road, 5 miles 12 
chains long, connects Pamelia Village, opposite Watertown 
Village, with Dexter. It was recorded May 5, 1849, and finished 
October 5, 1850. It is continued by the Dexter and Limerick 
Plank Road, to the town line of Lyme, towards Cape Vincent. 
Surveyed May 2, 1849, and completed thus far in May, 1850. It 
also connects with the Dexter and Houndsfield Plank Road, 3 
miles, 26 chains, 94 links long, which runs from Dexter to the 
Watertown and Sackets Harbor Road, near the latter place. It 
was inspected through, August 13, 1849. 

A line of roads from Alexandria Bay to W T atertown, was pro- 
jected and mostly finished, consisting of the Theresa and Alex- 
andria Bay Plank Road, 12 miles long; completed December 5, 
1849, and the Theresa Plank Road, towards Evans' Mills, of 
which about 4 miles were completed July 6, 1852. The Theresa 
and Clayton Plank Road (16 miles 56 chains 60 links) between 
these places, was recorded May 21, 1849, and completed June 
25, 1850. This road passes through La Fargeville. 

The completion of these roads has contributed much to the 
prosperity of the country, although some of them have not met 
the expectations of those who invested money in them. The 



324 Watertown and Rome Rail Road. 

railroads finished and in progress will so entirely supersede the 
use of several that they will never be rebuilt. Asa general ave- 
rage they have cost about $1,000 per mile, and the companies 
have been formed in the localities directly interested in their 
construction. The material has generally been hemlock plank, 
8 feet long, and 3 inches thick, usually made along the lines of 
former roads, with improved routes in certain points, and often 
with costly and permanent grades and excavations. The enter- 
prise of our citizens appears to have been diverted from this 
branch of improvement to other more direct and easy means of 
access to the markets. Within three years, about 170 miles of 
plank roads were built in the county. 

Rail Roads. — The people of Jefferson County early caught 
the spirit of improvement, of late years so strikingly evinced in 
the construction of railroads; and that from Albany to Schenec- 
tady, the first one in the country, had hardly got into successful 
operation, when the project of gaining an access to market by 
this means was brought up for discussion; and on the 17th of 
April, 1832, an act was passed incorporating the Watertown 
and Rome Rail Road, which act was never allowed to expire, but 
was revived repeatedly by the legislature, and after years of pa- 
tient and persevering effort, this truly beneficial road was opened. 
The company was clothed with powers to build a road from 
Rome to Watertown, and thence to the St. Lawrence, or Lake 
Ontario, or both, with a capital of $ J ,000,000, in shares of $100. 
Work was to commence within three, and end within five years. 
The commissioners named in the act were Henry H. Coffeen, 
Edmund Kirby, Orville Hungerford and William Smith, of Jef- 
ferson County; Jesse Armstrong, Alvah Sheldon, Artemas Trow- 
bridge and Seth D. Roberts, of Oneida; and Hiram Hubbell, 
Benjamin H. Wright, Caleb Carr and Elisha Hart, of Oswego, 
who were to receive stock and appoint a meeting for the choice 
of thirteen directors. On the 10th of May, 1836, this act was 
revived, and its duration extended the original term; a new com- 
mission named, which, with the addition of George C. Sherman, 
was, for Jefferson County, the same as before, and a clause in- 
serted, requiring $25,000 to be expended within two years, and 
the work to be finished in four years. The provisions of the 
Attica and Buffalo Rail Road charter were made applicable to 
this. On the 6th of May, 1S37, the charter was revived. and 
amended, by dividing into sections, of which the Jirst extended 
from the lake or river to Watertown; the second, from Water- 
town to Adams, and thence to Salmon river, and the third, to 
Rome. The company might organize and commence operations 
when able to build one of these sections, as follows: No. l,on 
$75,000; No. 2, on $250,000; No. 3, on 375,000. The sum of 



Watertown and Rome Rail Road. 325 

$10,000 was required to be expended within two years; within 
tour years, one section; within six years, the whole road was to be 
done. Clarke Rice, Hermon Cutler, and Alvah Hazen were added 
to the commissioners. On the 17th of May, 1845, the last two acts 
were extended and the charter continued for the original term; 
$25,000 were required to be spent within two years, and the whole 
to be finished within four years. On the 2Sth of April, 1847, the 
former time was extended one year and the latter two years. 
The capital was extended $500,000, for the purpose of laying 
a heavy iron rail of at least fifty-six pounds to the yard. Hav- 
ing given a brief synopsis of the legislation concerning this road, 
we will now relate the progress of organization, surveys and 
construction. 

Nothing was attempted towards effecting the objects for which 
the company was chartered, till near the time when it would 
have expired by the limitation of the act. 

A numerous and respectable meeting of citizens, from Jeffer- 
son and Oswego counties, was held at Pulaski, June 27, 1836, 
and a committee appointed to address the public on the subject 
of the Watertown and Rome Rail Road. The principal object 
of this address, was to impress upon the public mind the import- 
ance of immediate action and efficient exertion, with a view of 
securing these permanent advantages, both individually and col- 
lectively, to the country. A belief of the impracticability of 
the work had become prevalent, to refute which, the following 
facts were adduced, which are instructive, as showing the progress 
that had then been made in this line of engineering: 1st. Upon 
the Paterson and Jersey City Rail Road, sixteen miles long, a 
train, with one engine, had drawn forty passengers around 
curves of 400 feel radius, and up grades of forty-five feet to the 
mile, at the rate of twelve miles an hour. 2d. On the Camden 
and Amboy Rail Road, the daily cars carried from fifty to one 
hundred and fifty passengers from twelve to fifteen miles an hour, 
up grades of forty to fifty feet. 3rd. On the Baltimore and Ohio 
Rail Road, an engine, weighing seven and a half tons, had 
drawn two cars, each thirty feet in length, and containing fifty 
passengers each, up grades of forty-five feet. 4th. It had been 
ascertained, from experiment, that a Baltimore engine, weighing 
eight tons, would draw fifty tons, on a grade of fifty feet, at the 
rate of ten miles an hour. 5th. An elevation of two hundred 
and fifty-three feet per mile had been overcome by a locomotive 
drawing a car of thirty-three passengers. 

A subscription was in circulation at this time, to secure a pre- 
liminary survey; a concession of the right of way was solicited, 
and the public generally was invoked to lend aid to this measure, 
so indispensable to the prosperity of the country. The committee 



326 Watertown and Rome Rail Road. 

were: William Smith, G. C. Sherman and I. H. Bronson, of 
Watertown, J. H. Wells, of Pulaski, and Lemuel Freeman, 
of Williamstown, who employed Mr. William Dewey to make 
a survey from Watertown to Rome, which was done, with 
the aid of Robert F. Livingston and James Roberts, and the 
results reported in September, 1836. The distance of the 
line surveyed, which passed through Pulaski, was seventy-six 
miles, forty-five chains; the cost, with the strap rail then used, 
was estimated at $6,460*29 per mile, and the whole cost, 
with nine turnouts, $512,615*95. There was no estimate made 
of station houses, and other appendages. On the 22d of August, 
an informal meeting was held at Watertown, to report the 
progress of the survey, and raise means to complete it. The 
press, in reporting these proceedings, awarded especial and 
merited praise to Mr. William Smith, for the energetic and dis- 
interested manner in which he was engaged in this measure. 
The report of the engineer was received at Pulaski, September 
22, and a committee of three, in each town, appointed to solicit 
subscriptions. The zeal and ability with which Mr. Dewey 
performed this survey, deserve especial commendation; but the 
project was destined this time to fail in achievement, and the 
crisis in the money market, which followed in the wake of spec- 
ulation that ensued, precluding all idea of progress, the rail 
road project was allowed to slumber for nearly ten years. 

At an early stage of these movements, an anxiety was felt in 
the towns of Brownville and Lyme, then including Cape Vin- 
cent, to secure the continuation of the road, and on the 13th of 
May, 1836, an act was passed, incorporating the Watertown 
and Cape Vincent Rail Road, with a capital of $50,000, and 
the following commissioners were named to receive stock, and 
organize the company: Jerre Carrier, Henry Ainsworth, Koswell 
T. Lee, Samuel Lockwood, Edmund Kirby, George C. Sherman, 
Isaac H. Bronson, and John Williams; who, in the fall of the 
same year, also employed Mr. William Dewey to survey the 
line. This was accomplished with the aid of Robert F. Living- 
ston and L. N. Bowlsby, and estimated as feasible at $65,429*29 
for grading, by the cheapest route, and the total cost of grading 
and superstructure was placed at $' 145,965*88. Grades were 
found, not exceeding thirty-three feet per mile, and the distance 
surveyed, twenty-five miles and nineteen chains. Stock to the 
amount of the capital was nominally subscribed, mostly in the 
localities to be directly benefited, but nothing further was done, 
and this project, as distinct from the former, was allowed to 
expire. 

In 1835, a charter was granted for a rail road in Canada, from 
Hamilton to Sandwich, and from Toronto to Sarnia, but both 
charters expired, and in 1845 both were renewed. In Septem- 



Watertorcn and Rome Rail Road. 327 

ber, 1845, Sir Allen McNab, procured, in London, subscriptions 
to the former, of $5,500,000, of which $750,000 were paid 
down. This was the beginning of that system of Canadian 
rail roads, which may be said to form a connecting link with 
this, by lines of steamers, and to constitute a part of the same 
system. 

In the spring of 1844, at a time when the attention of the pub- 
lic was not directed to this object, and it had apparently been 
forgotten, Mr. Dewey, who had taken an active part in the form 
er surveys, began writing articles lor the Black River Journal 
as communications or editorials, anil in some cases by quoting 
from exchange papers, extracts elucidating the advantages of 
railroads, he endeavored to revive the public interest in this mea- 
sure. In July, 1844, two thousand copies of a pamphlet entitled, 
" Suggestions urging the construction of a Rail Road from Rome 
to VVatertown," were printed and distributed by him.* The sub- 
ject gradually became the topic of conversation, and early in 
1845 a meeting was held at Cape Vincent, which, on the 1st 
of May, was followed by one at Mechanics' Hall in Watertown, 
upon a call of eighty-six citizens, at which a committee of cor- 
respondence was chosen, and the delegation from the county in 
the Legislature were instructed to use their influence in securing 
a renewal of the charter. Meetings were soon after held at 
other places, which passed strong resolutions, and numerous com- 
mittees were appointed to excite public attention to the object.' 
On the 2d of August a meeting was held at Rome, and at Water- 
town on the 29th; a large assemblage from Oswego, Jefferson 
and Oneida Counties met at the Agricultural Hall and passed 
strong resolutions in favor of immediate action towards the con- 
struction of the road. On the 19th of September, pursuant to a 
call signed by two hundred influential citizens of Kingston, a 
meeting was held in that city, at which the Ma) or, Thomas H. 
Robinson, presided. The proposed railroad to Rome met with 
the cordial approbation of the meeting, and a proposition was 
entertained for procuring a charter for the Wolf Island, Kings- 
ton and Toronto Rail Road to form with one from the latter place to 
Sandwich a continuous line to Detroit. The subscriptions to 
stock having amounted to $925,000, and as the charter of the 
road would expire in May following, the commissioners issued a 
circular December 26th, 1846, calling upon stock holders for 
authority to transfer their subscriptions to sections Nos. 1, 3, 2, 
from Cape Vincent to Salmon River, not with a view of con- 
structing these first, but to enable the company to organize and 
choose directors, by whom the affairs of the road could be more 
effectually managed. No intention was expressed of commencing 
work on the road until enough was se ured to complete it. 

*See note in the appendix. 



328 Watertown and Rome Rail Road. 

On the 10th of February, 1S47, a numerous and enthusiastic 
railroad meeting (having been several times adjourned) met at 
the Universalist church, Watertown. The Hon. William C. 
Pierrepont presided, 0. V. Brainard, S Buckley, Jerre Carrier and 
John Whipple, were chosen vice presidents; John A. Sherman, 
J. H. Fisk, J. N. Rottiers, and John Binsse, secretaries. Spirit- 
ed addresses were made, and a series of forcible resolutions passed 
in favor of the speedy commencement of the work. 

In March, 1847, it was announced that a sufficient amount of 
stock had been taken, or transferred, to build section, one and 
two, and on the 6th of April the stockholders completed their 
organization by electing the following persons directors, viz: 
S. JY. Dexter, Charles Rice, William C. Pierrepont, Robert B. 
Doxtater, John H. Whipple, Orville Hungerford, Norris M. 
Woodruff, William Smith, S. Buckley, Edmund Kirby, Jerre 
Carrier, Theophilus Peugnet, and Clarke Rice. 

Orville Hungerford was chosen president; Clarke Rice, secre- 
tary, and Orville V. Brainard treasurer. 

Immediately after their election, the directors proceeded to 
obtain a renewal of the charter, with leave to increase their cap- 
ital for the purpose of laying a heavier rail than was originally 
intended. A committee was sent to Boston and New York to 
solicit stock, but mostly without success, and a new effort was 
made at home. The proposed advantages of the road to the 
country were eloquently set forth in a circular, by the directors, da- 
ted August 20, 1847; and an urgent appeal made to the public 
for aid. The sum of $'150,000 was at this time needed. A suf- 
ficient sum having been subscribed to save the charter, a meet- 
ing of the stock holders was held at the Court House, on the 21st 
of March, 1S48. After several addresses by those who had been 
actively engaged in prosecuting the work, among whom were 
O. Hungerford, Clarke Rice, William Smith, William Dewey, L. 
J. Goodale and others. Mr. Lord, from the committee on reso- 
lutions, reported as follows: 

" Whereas, subscriptions for stock in the Watertown, Rome 
and Cape Vincent Rail Road have been obtained, sufficient in 
amount to authorize the organization of the entire line, thus dis- 
pensing with the division into sections; and whereas, the stock- 
holders consider this contemplated improvement of vital import- 
ance to the northern section of the state, through which it will 
pass, and that the business from the country, from the lakes and 
from Canada, which will be drawn to it, must render the stock 
valuable; therefore: 

Resolved, That the entire line of the road, from Rome to Cape 
Vincent, be considered one and indivisible, and that the faith of 
this company is pledged to use all lawful and proper means for 



Watertmvn and Rome Rail Road. 329 

its speedy completion, and that the directors be, and they are 
hereby requested to pass a resolution, fixing the northern termi- 
nus of the road at Cape Vincent, and enter the same in the 
books of the company. 

Resolved, That the directors proceed without delay to the 
speedy construction of said road, as indicated by the charter, from 
Rome to Cape Vincent. 

Resolved, That we, will sustain said directors, in prosecuting 
such project, to our utmost liabilities, and with all our influence, 
and that we will exert every effort in our power to aid them in 
procuring the balance of means requisite to the full accomplish- 
ment of said object. 

Resolved, That in commencing a work of such magnitude, in 
anticipation of the great benefits which must result to our agri- 
cultural, manufacturing and other interests, we should not hesi- 
tate nor permit seeming difficulties to retard our progress, but 
persevere, until all obstacles are overcome and the road com- 
pleted." 

These resolutions were enthusiastically passed.* 

On the of 24th April, 1848, the directors employed Isaac W. 
Crane, of Troy, a civil engineer, to re-survey the route, who, the 
same day, organized three parties, under the charge of Charles 
F. Smith, Octave Blanc and Henry Van Vlect, and about the 
middle of July the field work of the survey was completed. The 
summit was found to be only 190 feet above Rome, the heaviest 
grades towards the south being thirty, and towards the north, 
thirty-five feet per mile. The estimated cost of superstructure 
was $6,062.40 per mile, and the total of grading, bridging and 
fencing, $442,940.62. The entire cost of the road, including 
engines, cars, depots, land, damages, &c, was estimated at 
$1,250,620. 

The viewing committee of the County Agricultural Society, 
in their report of September, 1848, say of the vast importance of 
this road:— 

" The farming and other interests are at this time making 
vigorous efforts to raise funds to construct a rail road from Cape 
Vincent to Rome. We are fully satisfied of its practicability, 
and feel safe in saying, that now is the time to put forth united 
efforts for securing this all-important object. We are too apt to 
act as though our influence was of no account in the accom- 
plishment of great public improvements. Is it estimated that 
there are 720,000 acres in the county of Jefferson. It is not a 
low estimate to make the benefits of the road, if it were construct- 
ed, to reckon the increased value of the products of the soil for 
the first five years at $1 per acre? Is it too much to calculate 
that by the first five years operation of the road, the value of the 



330 Watertown and Rome Rail Road. 

soil will be increased $1 per acre? Now add the increased value 
of the first five years products of the soil ($'720,000), to 
the increased value of the soil (720,000), and we have 
$1,440,000, an amount sufficient to construct the entire 
road. But it is thought, by those competent to judge, that if 
$500,000 were subscribed in this county, the remainder could be 
easily obtained in the cities. Farmers of Jefferson! can we long 
slumber when such high interests are at stake, and neglect to 
come forth with united strength and reap the golden harvest that 
already waves in the breeze! Already a favorable charter is 
secured; capable and faithful officers are elected; over $300,000 
of the stock is taken in the county. All we now lack is at once 
to take an amount of stock equal to the direct and immediate 
benefit we shall receive, and its speedy construction is rendered 
certain." 

In November, 1848, work was commenced at Rome, and soon 
after at other important points, and the road was so far completed, 
as to allow the passage of trains to Camden, in the fall of 1849. 
On the 10th of April, 1851, the Hon. Wm. C. Pierrepont, was 
chosen president, in place of Orville Hungerford, deceased, and 
on the same day a resolution was passed for extending a branch 
of the road, from the located line up the river bank, into the 
village of Watertown. 

On the £Sth of May, 1851, the road was completed to Pierre- 
pont Manor, and a large party from Watertown, Rome, and other 
seel ions, assembled to celebrate the era of the entrance of the 
first rail road train into Jefferson County. The occasion passed 
off much to the enjoyment of all parties, which was greatly en- 
hanced by the elegant hospitality of Mr. Pierrepont, the president. 

The first engine reached Watertown, September 5, at eleven 
o'clock in the night, and on the 24th of the same month, its 
completion to that place was again celebrated with festivities, 
which, in their profusion, evinced the cordiality with which 
the citizens of that thriving village, welcomed the completion of 
this long desired improvement. On the 20th of November it was 
finished to Chaumont, and in April, 1852, to Cape Vincent; the 
cars commencing regular trips on the first of May. 

The contract for building the road, was taken by Phelps, Matoon 
and Barnes, of Springfield, Massachusetts. The rails are from the 
manufactory of Guest & Co., Wales, and not a single bar has 
broken, since the road has been in operation. 

The company, to obtain the means of completing the road, has 
issued three classes of bonds, the first on the 1st of July, 1850, 
for $400,000, payable from 1858 to 1868, at the rate of $'40,000 
a year; the second, July 1. 1851, of $250,000, one half of which 
has been converted into stock; and the third, of $200,000, which 
was soon after converted into stock. 



Watertown and Rome Rail Road. 



331 



The following statistical table gives the principal data con- 
cerning this road. It is derived from the official map, deposited 
in the state-engineer's office. 





Len 


gth in m 


les. 


i Total 


Length in miles of grades. 


Towns. 


Main 


Straight 


Curved 


Level. 


Ascent 


Descent 




track. 


Line. 


Line. 


65.856 


South. 


South. 


Cape Vincent. 


5.9826 


5.2224 


.7605 


.9585 


3.1582 


1.8659 




7.2674 


7.2138 


.053e 


6S.205 1 


i 1.9928 


2.3356 


2.9390 


Brownville,. . . 


8.6799 


7.4589 


1.2210 


77.475' 


1 2.0114 


4.5242 


2.1443 




1.7879 


1.0248 


.763i 


26.120 


.7218 


.8765 


.1S96 


Watertown. . . . 


6.8843 


5.2210 


1.66 32 


84.590J 


1 1.8875 


4.2754 


.7214 




7.1212 


5.0422 


2.079 


83.890, 


1.1811 


4.5329 


1.4072 


Elhsburgh, . . . 


9.4591 


8.2610 


1.1981 


87.240, 


1.0991 


3.5837 


4.7763 


Sandy Creek,.. 


5.2793 


4.6973 


.5820 


45.160' 


1.2905 


.7538 


3.5360 


Richland, .... 


2.5818 


2.3773 


.2045 


25.490 


.0922 


1.4292 


1.0604 


Albion, 


7.5227 


5.1516 


2.3712 


77.610, 


1.0112 


3.S6S8 


2.0427 


Williamstown, 


7.6720 


5.0993 


2.5727 


75.816: 


.1360 


2.8831 


4.6529 


Amboy, 


.4839 


.2112 


.2727 


4.8951 




: 


.4839 




11.1428 


7.8447 


3.2981 


96.120 : 


2.7678 


1.6706 


6.7044 


Annsvillle, . . 


5.3244 


3.5449 


1.7795 


65.566 


j 1.0252 


1.6010 


2.09S2 


Rome, 


8.5360 
95.7253 


7.0822 

75.4525 


1.4538 
20.272S 


}00.965 
! 1 188.997' 


3.4259 


2.7974 


2.3127 


Total 


'19.6012 


3S.2904 


37.8339 



Elevations above tide. — Rome, 442 feet; Annsville, 430-24; 
Fish Creek (bridge), Taberg Station, 416*44; McConnelsville, 
482; Camden, 523*5; West Camden, 538; Williamstown, 68286; 
Kassoag, 625 36; Sand Banks, 5S0; Pineville, 546; Centreville, 
552-2; Richland Depot, 524*3; Sandy Creek, 556*9; Pierrepont 
Manor, 537*8; Adams, 596; Centre, 600; Watertown, 409*8; 
Black River, Bridge, 401; Brownville, 327*5; Limerick, 322*3; 
Chaumont, 289*2; Chaumont Bridge, 269; Three Mile Bay, 
306*3; St. Lawrence River, at Cape Vincent, 250 feet. The lat- 
ter is derived from the survey of the engineer of the road, and 
differs from other measurements, several feet. Upon Burr's State 
Map, the elevation of Lake Ontario, above tide, is stated to be 
234 feel, while the recent Canadian rail road surveys make 
238i feet. 

In connection with this road, and in a measure forming* 
a part of it, is the project, now nearly completed, of con- 
structing a canal across a narrow part of Wolf, or Long Island, 
between two bays that form deep indentations upon its opposite 
sides, and which will afford a communication, nearly direct, be- 
tween Cape Vincent and Kingston, by which canal boats and 
small craft from the Rideau Canal, and Bay of Quinte, can pass 
at all times when the navigation is open, without encountering 
the risks of weathering the exposed points at the head of the 
22 



332 Watertown and Rome Rail Road. 

island, which, from being opposite to the open lake, are liable to 
accident in rough weather. The contract was let for £ 14,000, 
to Joseph Millner, and the stock is said to be principally owned 
in Kingston. 

In our account of Cape Vincent, page 1 15, we noticed the extent 
and number of warehouses, &c, appertaining to this road. There 
are also depots, built in a substantial manner, at Three Mile Bay, 
Chaumont, Limerick, Brownville. Watertown, Adams Centre, 
Adams, Pierrepont Manor, and Mannsville, in Jefferson County; 
Sandy Creek, Richland, Sand Banks, Kassoag, and Williams- 
town, in Oswego County; and West Camden, Camden, McCon- 
nelsville, Taberg, and Rome # in Oneida County. Those at the 
two extremities of the road, and at Watertown, are of ample 
size; and additions are, from time to time, made to the others, as 
the wants of the road require. At Pierrepont Manor, an exten- 
sive eating house has been fitted up, affording the usual refresh- 
ments served at restaurants, except spirituous liquors. Over a mile 
of depot ground has been secured on the Erie Canal, at Rome, 
for .lumber yards and other purposes. Since the road was first 
completed, in May, 1852, trains have been run daily (Sundays 
excepted) with great precision, and hitherto loithov.t accident 
resulting { in loss or injury to the person of a single passenger. 
The directors of the road, in their report of 1852, mainly attrib- 
ute this regularity, and exemption from accident, to the energy 
and ability of J. L. Grant, assistant superintendent, and master 
mechanic; to which may be added, that the arrangements 
adopted by the late Robert B. Doxtater, the first superintendent, 
which have been ably continued by Mr. J. Collamer, his succes- 
sor, have done much to secure these results. The engineers, 
conductors, and others in the employ of the company, have evinced 
a care and interest, in the discharge of their duties, that entitle 
them to especial commendation. 

It would be a delicate and invidious task, to particularize 
those who have evinced an early and abiding interest in the suc- 
cess 6f this improvement. Many we have mentioned in connec- 
tion with the above account, some of whom pledged large 
subscriptions, wjien the profits of the investment were uncertain, 
and others, without the means of aiding, pecuniarily, were not 
the less serviceable by the zeal with which they labored to excite 
and maintain that interest in the improvement, so essential to 
its ultimate success. The result has justified the most sanguine 
anticipation of its friends, and added immensely to the wealth 
of the country through which it passes. Few roads in the 
country, of the extent and cost of this, will compare with it 
in the value of its stock, or the success which has attended its 
operations. 



Watertown arid Rome Rail Road. 



333 



The following are the statistical returns of this road for the 
year 1852 and 1853, ending September* 30. Of the former year 
but four months are embraced: 



Capital stock, as by charter, 

Amount of stock subscribed and paid, September 30, 

Amount of funded debt, 

Amount of floating debt, . ... 

Cost of grading and masonry to September 30, 1853, 
Bridges, ...... 

Superstructure, including iron. 

Passenger and freight stations, &c, . 

Engine and car houses, shops and fixtures, 

Land, land damages and fences, 

Locomotives and fixtures, and snow plows, 

Passenger and baggage cars, 

Freight and other cars, .... 

Engineering and agencies, .... 

Total cost of road . . . . 

Length of road, 

Length of double track, 

Weight of rail per yard on main track, 

Number of engine houses and shops, j 

Engines, ..... 



1852. 

131,672 

51,834 

12?,982 

3,940,965 

60,949 
3,604,084 



Miles run by passenger trains, 

Freight trains, 

Number of passengers carried in cars, 

Carried one mile, 

Tons of freight carried in cars, 

Carried one mile, 

Average speed passenger trains, including stops, per hour, 

In motion, . ... 

Freight trains in motion, . . . 

Average weight of passenger trains, exclusive of passengers 

baggage, in tons. 
Average weight of freight trains, exclusive of freight in tons, 
Product of the forest in tons, 
Animals, .... 

Vegetable food, .... 

Other agricultural products, 
Manufactures, .... 

Merchandize, ..... 
Other articles, .... 

Expense of maintaining road, . . $30,402 

Expenses of repairs of machinery, . 11,862 

Expenses of operating the road, . . 66,181 

Receipts from passengers, . 110,635 

From freight, .... 104,497 

From other sources, . . . . 8,260 

Payments for transportation expenses, . 108,446 

Interest, . . . . 23,680 

Dividends, . . . 81,513 



. $1,500,000 

1853, 1,346,075 

514,000 

234,518 

701,346 

42,150 
587,249 

98,991 

41,222 
160,229 
113,528 

28,033 
192.230 

43,013 

§1,957,992 
96 miles 



56 lbs. 
5 

18 

1853. 

155,251 

85,788 

172,500 

5,328,273 

107,801 

6,683,662 

22 



and 



27 
15 

66 

200 

41,868 

1 1,950 

19,425 

4,142 

10,570 

12,748 

7,098 

$40,418 

24,233 

97,157 

145,392 

179,827 

9,682 

161,808 

41,519 

127,609 



334 Sachets Harbor and Ellisburgh Rail Road. 

In the summer of 1851, the project of a rail road from Water- 
town to Potsdam being under discussion, it was agreed by the 
Waterlown and Rome Rail Road Company, that if the new route 
would be undertaken, they would construct a branch from their 
present depot, up into the central part of the village. The lat- 
ter was commenced in 1853, and is so far advanced that it will 
be in use early next season. The right to taking private property 
for a road way, as is enjoyed by new roads, was confirmed by an 
act of the session of 1853, and the requisite permission has been 
granted by the village authorities. A depot is to be constructed 
adjacent to the Woodruff House, when this work, and the Pots- 
dam and Watertown roads are completed. 

Sachets Harbor and Ellisburgh Rail Road. — As early as 
May 15, 1837, a company was chartered, styled the " Trenton 
and Sackets Harbor Rail Road Company," capital $600,000, 
in which James Hough, Herman Terry, Luther Guitteau, Elisha 
Camp, M. K. Stow, Thomas S. Hall, Jason Fairbanks, Piatt 
Williams, Ashley Davenport, Chester Buck, Samuel Allen, Noah 
M. Harger and Arphaxed Loomis were named commissioners to 
receive subscriptions for stock, but effected nothing. In the fall 
of 1848, the present road began to be discussed, with a view of 
connecting with the Watertown and Rome Railroad, at Adams 
or Pierrepont Manor. The opinion was expressed, that if the 
road from the harbor to one of these points was opened by the 
time that the other had reached it from Rome, the latter would 
not be continued to Watertown and Cape Vincent. Acting 
upon this belief, strenuous efforts were made to secure the means 
for prosecuting the work, and May 23, 1850, the organization 
was completed, and Willard Dodge, Jesse C. Dann, Samuel T. 
Hooker, Augustus Ford, Marcellus R. Patrick, David Hunter, 
C. C. Symonds, Elisha Camp, Dyer N. Burnham, Samuel Hack- 
ley, Green Packer, F. Wooley, and Henry Green, Jr., were cho- 
sen first directors. A survey had been made by Bryant C. Tilden, 
in 1S40, and an act procured April 9, of that year, declaring the 
work of sufficient public utility to warrant the taking of private 
property for its construction, and the company was empowered 
to consolidate with any road with which it connected, on such 
terms as might be agreed upon. Soon after the company was 
formed, the present connection with the other road was decided 
upon, and a contract made with Thomas Stetson, of Boston, to 
build the road for $150,000 — one-third in cash, one-third in 
stock, as the road progressed, and one-third in cash when the 
work was done. The road was re-surveyed by Calvin Brown, 
and work was begun; but the contractor failed to complete his 
agreement, and the work was let to Barker and Hoes, who did 
likewise. The company, after spending several thousand dol- 



Potsdam and Watertovon Rail Road. 335 

lars in small jobs of grading, subsequently let the work to Phelps, 
Matoon and Barns, of Springfield, the builders of the connecting 
road, by whom it has been completed. By a resolution of the 
board of directors, passed August 20, 1850, bonds, to the extent 
of $150,000, were directed to be issued, redeemable in 1862, 
with semi-annual interest. On the 14th of November, 1850, ten 
miles bad been graded, and on the 18th of January, 1851, but 
three miles of grading remained. In the returns to the state- 
engineer, dated December 24, 1852, $20 1;3 19*62 are reported 
as expended, and three-fourths of a mile of track laid. The 
road was finally completed with a heavy rail, and opened for the 
regular passage of trains on the 1st day of June, 1853. The 
capital of the company is $175,000. Length, eighteen miles; 
least radius of curve, 1,910 feet; highest grade, forty feet per 
mile. Trains pass over the road twice daily in each direction, 
in connection with the trains going south, on the Watertown 
and Rome Rail Road, and with the steamers of the Ontario and 
St. Lawrence Steam Boat Company, both up and down Lake 
Ontario and the St. Lawrence. An act passed by the late Con- 
gress, granting for the rail road the privilege of extending a 
wharf from the present depot, at Sackets Harbor (at the steam 
boat landing), in front of Madison Barracks, to the U- S. Hos- 
pital, that will afford, when completed, abundant facilities for 
transferring lumber and freight from vessels to the cars. 

Sackets Harbor is acknowledged to possess the best harbor 
now in use on the lake, always safe and easy of access, and 
sheltered from storms; and an inspection of the map will show 
that this rail road affords a communication about twenty-five miles 
nearer to Rome than by way of Cape Vincent. Smithville, Hen- 
derson and Belleville are stations on this road. The project is 
now in discussion of continuing the line to Pulaski and Syracuse. 
Some knowledge of the commerce of Sackets Harbor, for a few 
years before the completion of this road, from the records of the 
Custom House, which show that during 1S46 the exports coast- 
wise amounted to $1,106,986*75, and abroad to $75,345*80. The 
imports coastwise were $1,550,909, and abroad, $1,851*67. 
The aggregate tonnage, December 31, 1646, was 4,994f §, and 
had increased in 1846, l,669f § tons. 

The Potsdam and Watertown Rail Road, now in course of 
grading, is to be about seventy-six miles in length, and is to ex- 
tend from the Watertown and Rome Rail Road, in the village of 
Watertown, through to Evans' Mills, Philadelphia, Antwerp, 
Gouverneur, Canton and Potsdam Villages, to the North- 
ern Railroad at North Potsdam, or Raquetteville. 

The location of the Northern Rail Road, from Ogdensburgh 
to Rouse's Point, gave great dissatisfaction to citizens of Pots- 



336 Potsdam and Watertovvn Rail Road. 

dam and Canton, who imagined that their villages had claims 
which had been entirely neglected. That rail road was built, and 
has been controlled by parties interested in New England roads, 
and forming a part of the gigantic system of which Boston has 
made itself a centre, and the principle object of its builders was to 
get a direct route from Lake Champlain to the foot of naviga- 
tion on the St. Lawrence. 

The project of a branch to Potsdam was first discussed not long 
after the final location of the Northern Road; but nothing was 
done until July, 1851, when a convention of citizens along the 
proposed line met at Watertovvn, at which a committee was ap- 
pointed to raise the funds necessary for a survey, and Edward 
H. Brodhead was employed to examine and report the feasibility 
and expense of the road. This gentleman had been previously 
engaged in canal surveys for the state through the same section, 
and was well acquainted with the natural features of the country, 
and the route best adapted for the road. The survey was com- 
pleted the same fall, and on the 8th of January, 1852, a meeting 
was held at Gouverneur to receive the report and decide upon 
an organization. There had been found no point where the 
depth of filling would exceed thirty feet, or of cutting twenty 
feet, nor would the line in any place deviate from a straight 
line more than three miles. The grades were found not to ex- 
ceed thirty-seven feet, and with one exception, the shortest 
radius of curve was 2000 feet. 

The statistics which had been collected by the committee, 
gave the following number of tons, of freight, which several of 
the towns on the route would afford annually: 

Canton, 14,000; Hermon, 2,917; Gouverneur, 15,016; Pots- 
dam, 54,508; Hermon and Russell, 4,000; Jefferson County, 63,- 
058. Making an aggregate of 103,497 tons. 

A company was formed the same day (January 8, 1852), un- 
der the general act, to continue 150 years, with a capital of 
$780,000, and the following persons were designated as first direc- 
tors, viz: Eli Farewell, Orville V. Brainard and Hiram Holcomb, 
of Watertovvn; William McAllaster, of Antwerp; Edwin Dodge 
and William E. Sterling, of Gouverneur; Orville Page and Bar- 
zillai Hodskin, of Canton; Zenas Clark, Joseph H. Sanford, 
Samuel Partridge and William W. Goulding, of Potsdam.- 

The record in the secretary's office shows the following num- 
ber of shares of $100 each, originally taken in the several towns 
to organize: Watertown 31, Antwerp 33, Rossie 14, Gouverneur 
120, Herman 2, Edward 1, Canton 150, Potsdam 268, Ogdens- 
burgh 1. These subscriptions were not secured without strenu- 
ous efforts; and on the 7th of April, 1851, an act was procured, 
allowing the company to exercise the powers of the general act, 



Sqckets Harbor and Saratoga Kail Road. 337 

whenever $5000 per mile should be subscribed. In October, 
1852, the company contracted with Phelps, Afatoon and Barnes, 
the builders of the other two roads in the county, by whom the 
labor is to be completed in 1854. The present directors, elected 
February 2, 1853, are A. M. Adsit, of Colton; J. H. Sanford, 
Z. Clark, S. Partridge and W. W. Goulding, of Potsdam; E. 
Miner and B. Hodskin, of Canton; W. E. Stirling and E. Dodge, 
of Gouverneur; Hiram B. Reen, of Antwerp; H. Holcomb, 0. V. 
Brainard and*H. Cooper, of "Watertown. The Hon. Edwin 
Dodge, of Gouverneur, has been the president of the company 
since its organization. Henry L. Knowles, of Potsdam, is the 
present secretary, and Daniel Lee, of Watertown, the treasurer. 
The Sachets Harbor and Saratoga Rail Road Company was in- 
corporated by an act of April 10, 1648, by which Elisha Camp, 
Jesse C. Dann, Augustus Ford, Thomas S. Hall, Samuel T. 
Hooker and Dyer N. Burnham, of Sackets Harbor; Francis Seger 
and Dean S. Howard, of Lewis County; Edward Edwards, 
Thomas J. Marvin, Gideon M. Davidson and Lebbeus Booth, of 
Saratoga County; Hiram McCollom and Patrick S. Stewart, of 
Carthage; John Felt, of Felt's Mills, and Charles E. Clarke, 
of Great Bend, were empowered, with their associates, to con- 
struct a rail road from Sackets Harbor, by way of Carthage, and 
through from thence, in- the most direct and eligible route, to 
Saratoga County. Upon paying into the state treasury the sum 
of $5,000, the company was to have for three years the pre-emp- 
tion right of 250,000 acres of state lands, in tracts of not more 
than 2000, nor less than 1000 acres, not adjacent, but with 
intervals of at least 1000 acres, for which, so often as 
$25,000 was expended east of Carthage, and five cents per acre 
paid into the treasury, the comptroller was to issue deeds of 
25,000 acres, and for like amounts for similar expenditures until 
the whole amount of 250,000 acres should have been conveyed. 
The $5,000 to be first paid was to be credited on the lands. By an 
act passed March 29, 1851, the provisions of the general rail 
road act were applied to this, and the limitation of the organiza- 
tion extended one year. 

On the 10th of January, 1852, a company was formed at Al- 
bany, accordingly, with a capital of $2,500,000, of which the 
trustees first named in the articles of association were P. S. 
Stewart, of Carthage; C. E. Clarke, of Great Bend; Anson 
Blake, of Brooklyn; Lyman R. Lyon, of Greig; T. P. Ballou, of 
Utica; Robert Spicer, of West Milton; Otis Clapp and Francis 
Tukey, of Boston; Alva Crocker and Ivers Philips, of Fitch- 
burgh. Mr. Clapp was chosen president. Thirteen individuals 
of Bostdn subscribed fifty shares each; at Fitchburgh one hun- 
dred, and at Georgetown fifty shares; and in Saratoga, Lewis 



338 Sachets Harbor- and Saratoga Rail Road. 

and Jefferson Counties sums of less amount. On the 15th of 
April, 1853, an act was passed confirming the validity of the or- 
ganization. 

In the summer of 1851, a preliminary survey was made by 
Bryant P. Tilden, Jr., which gave the length of the route 160 
miles, and the probable cost of the construction, with equipments, 
as $'3,669,045, and during the last season surveying parties have 
been engaged in exploring new routes, in hopes of finding im- 
proved grades, and the location of the road bas not yet been 
made. It is said, that no grade will exceed thirty-five feet per 
mile, and that there are no deep rock cuttings or expensive 
gradings and bridges on the entire line. By a circular, dated 
February 7, 1853, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Clarke, 
Stewart, and Lyon, called upon the proprietors of lands in the wil- 
derness through which this road will pass, to contribute one-third 
of these lands to effect this object, assuming that the remaining 
two-thirds will become far more valuable in consequence. This 
has been done to a great extent, and the donation from the state 
was based on the same principle. 

This road may also be considered a Boston project, and should 
the proposed tunnel through the Hoosic Mountain be constructed, 
it will form a more direct communication between the great 
lakes and the sea board, than any now existing. The vast 
amount of timber and mineral products which it will open to 
market, with the directness of its route for through freight, and 
the immense landed estate upon which the company is based, 
are features which render the friends of this road confident, that 
it will be soon built, and become an object of profit to them- 
selves, as it will assuredly be of immense benefit to the country. 

In December, 1852, the t "plan of a railroad, from some point on 
the central line, through the Black River valley to the St. Law- 
rence, began to be discussed, and a meeting to be held at Low- 
ville, January 8, 1853, signed by thirty-four prominent citizens 
of Lewis County, appeared in the Northern Journal of Lowville, 
the week previous. This meeting was accordingly held. A com- 
mittee of five persons in each county interested was appointed 
to collect statistics and facts to report to future meetings, of 
which one was appointed at Theresa, on the 20th, and another 
at Boonville, on the 26th of the same month. 

The meeting at Boonville was attended by those representing 
the claims of Herkimer, Utica, and Rome, for the southern ter- 
minus, but the weight of interests represented was in favor of 
the first of these, and a company was formed under the name of 
the Black River Rail Road Company, with a capital of 
$1,200,000, for the purpose of building a road from Clayton, on 
the St. Lawrence, by way of Carthage and the west side of the 



Rail Roads through the Black River Valley. 339 

Black River, to the valley of West Canada Creek, to Herkimer, 
a distance of about 120 miles. The directors named were Benja- 
min Carver, Harvey Doolittle and Linus Yale, of Herkimer Coun- 
ty; Jonah Hdwe, Matthew Beecher, and Philip M. Schuyler, of 
Oneida County j Ela Merriam, Seth Miller, Moses M.Smith, 
Wra. L. Easton, and John Benedict, of Lewis County; and Sa- 
muel J. Davis, and Lewis T. Ford, of Jefferson County. 

It may be here noticed, that seventeen years' previous (May 
21, 1836), a company of the same name had been chartered by 
a special act to build a road from Clayton to Carthage. A pre- 
liminary survey was made the same year by R. F. Livingston, 
and the route passed through Evan's Mills, and La Fargeville, 
was thirty-one miles in length, and was estimated to cost 
>»; 226,0 15'62. Nothing but a survey was attempted. Carthage 
was found by these measurements to be 473 feet above the St. 
Lawrence, at Clayton. This effort on the part of Herkimer im- 
mediately excited a spirit of rivalry at Utica and Rome, and 
three days after the Boonville meeting, viz: January 29, 1853, 
the Black River and Utica Rail Road Company was organized 
with a capital of $1,000,000, for the purpose of building a road 
from that city to Clayton, a distance of about one hundred miles. 
The directors named were T. S. Faxton, Spencer Kellcgg, John 
Butterfiekl, Martin Hart, Alfred Churchill, James V. P. Gardi- 
ner, Benjamin F. Ray, James S. Lynch, Wm. H. Terry, Hugh 
Crocker, Harvey Barnard, Jonathan R. Warner, and John D. 
Lei and, all of Utica, except the last named, who is of Deerrield. 
T. S. Faxton was chosen president, and J. S. Lynch secretary. 
Daniel C. Jenne was employed to survey a route, and report 
the proper estimates of cost. 

On the Sth of March, a meeting was held at Lowville, at 
which a committee of three from each town, interested in the 
line from Boonville to the St. Lawrence, was appointed to exa- 
mine the claims of the three southern points. Mr. Jenne re- 
ported the results of a survey from Utica to Boonville, and esti- 
mated the cost, with equipment, at $20,000 per mile; and Mr. 
Octave Blanc, who had been engaged on a preliminary survey 
for Rome, also reported the result of his operation south of 
Boonville; and Mr. Wooster, of Herkimer, read the survey made 
by Mr. Jervis, in 1837, for the Herkimer and Trenton Railway. 

Alter hearing these several reports, the general committee 
found themselves unable to decide the question, and having ap- 
pointed a sub-committee of eight, consisting of A. H. Barnes, 
of Martinsburgh; A. Joy, of Clayton; H. Dewey, of Orleans; 
Wm. L. Easton, of Lowville; Ela Merriam, ofLeyden; N. Inger- 
soll, of Le Ray; S. Sylvester, of Copenhagen; and A. A. Goodale, 
of West Turin, to visit these several places proposed, as points 



340 Rail Roads through the Black River Valley. 

of junction with the central road, and report at the meeting to 
be adjourned to Carthage, on the 22d instant. This meeting at 
Lowville was continued two days, and a most active spirit of 
rivalry was exibited by the delegates from the southern sections. 
At the Carthage meeting, great anxiety was felt in the expected 
report of the sub-committee, and nearly every member of the 
general committee was present. A resolution was adopted by 
them, that a majority of two-thirds should be required to decide 
upon the termination of the road. The committee of eight re- 
ported, that, having met and organized at Rome on the 14th, 
they resolved upon a series of questions to be proposed to the 
rail road committees of Rome, Utica, and Herkimer, to ascertain 
the cost per acre of fifteen or twenty acres for a depot, on the 
heel path side of the canal, and at least one half mile long, and 
the amount of stock that would be pledged for each, by persons 
south of Boonville. It was found that a connection could 
readily be obtained with the central road, and spirit of liberality 
and accommodation was evinced by the officers of that line. 

At Rome, a delegation, consisting of Messrs. Foster, Stryker, 
Doty, Comstock, Hopkins, and others, presented the claims and 
preferences of that place; stated that the requisite amount of land 
could be bought at a price not exceeding $250 per acre, and 
pledged at least $300,000, in private subscriptions, besides what 
might be obtained from the village corporation, which it. was 
supposed would amount to $150,000 more. The survey of Mr. 
Blanc had been continued since the meeting at Lowville, on 
the 8th, down the"valley of the Lansing Kill, as far as Stringer's 
Creek Aqueduct, and it was found that the 48 feet grade did 
not exceed 7*91 miles, in reaching the flats, instead of Sg miles, 
as stated in a former report. The distance to Boonville was found 
to be 23 miles. 

At Utica, the committee was received by Messrs. Kellogg, 
Ferry, Churchill, and others. It was found that a sufficient 
quantity of depot ground could be purchased on the berme side 
and tow path side, at $200 per acre. The sum of $250,000 was 
guaranteed by individuals of Utica, and $100,000 was expected 
to be raised between that city and Boonville. A further sum 
from private means, of $50,000, and $250,000 more from city 
bonds was also expected, making $650,000. A detailed report 
was received from Mr. Jenne, the engineer, on the subject of 
forming a connection with the canal, and several plans were 
pointed out by w.hich that object could be effected. 

The committee also visited Herkimer, but as it was understood 
that that place had withdrawn its claims for the terminus, and 
that the company had been disbanded, no report was made upon 
that station. These facts the sub-committee submitted without 



, 



- Ogdensburgh, Clayton and Rome Rail Road. 341 

expressing their preference of the claims of either. The gene- 
ral committee was in session two days at Carthage, engaged in 
discussing the merits of the rival stations, but the two-third rule 
which they had imposed upon themselves, prevented the requi- 
site majority from being obtained. The first ballot was 22 for 
Utica, 22 for Rome, and 2 for Herkimer; and Rome afterwards 
gained a small majority, but finding it impossible to agree, the 
committee was discharged, and an association styled the Og- 
densburgh, Clayton, and Rome Rail Road Company was im- 
mediately announced as in the field, and pledged to build a road 
from Rome to Denmark, and thence to the St. Lawrence, at Mor- 
ristown, and Ogdensburgh, with a branch to Clayton. The Og- 
densburgh and Clayton Rail Road Company was formed Febru- 
ary 19, 1853, with a capital of $2,000,000, and the following 
gentlemen as its directors, viz: Henry A. Foster, John Stryker, 
Edward Huntington, and Alva Mudge, of Rome; Elijah B. Al- 
len, and Henry Van Rensselaer, of Ogdensburgh; Augustus 
Chapman, of Morristown; Wm. Wra. L. Easton, of Lowville; 
Seth Miller, of West Turin; Alanson H. Barnes, of Martins- 
burgh; Sidney Sylvester, of Denmark; Samuel J. Davis, of Wil- 
na; and Jason Clark, of Flessis. Henry A. Foster was chosen 
president; Elijah B. Allen, vice-president; James L. Leonard, 
of Lowville, treasurer; Roland S. Doty, of Rome, secretary; 
Bloomfield J. Beach, of Rome, attorney for -the county of Onei- 
da; and Octave Blanc, engineer. 

At a meeting held at Watertown, April 21, a code of by-laws 
was adopted, and the following resolutions passed: 

" Resolved, That it is our intention to construct a rail road, 
from the central line of rail road, and Erie Canal, in the village 
of Rome, to the River St. Lawrence, in the village of Clayton, 
and also to said River St. Lawrence, in the village of Ogdens- 
burgh, and touching the river at Morristown, so as to con- 
nect with the Northern Ogdensburgh Rail Road, and the Grand 
Trunk Rail Road, the By Town and Prescott Rail Road, and the 
proposed Pembroke and Brockville Rail Road in Canada. 

Resolved, That in lowness of summit, easy grade, cheapness 
in cost of construction, facility of connection with the central 
line of rail road, and the Erie Canal, and in having its termina- 
tion at such points, as to command the business of the country, 
and of Canada, this road has decided advantages over any other 
proposed line of rail road from the St. Lawrence River to the 
said central line, and canal, and can and will be built; and that 
we unanimously pledge ourselves to the stockholders and to each 
other, to push forward the enterprise to completion and 
without delay." 

This claim of superiority is, of course, contested by the rival 



342 Black River and Utiea Rail Road. 

route, as well as that now finished. The pianof connecting Og- 
densburghi with some other road, by a line south-west from that 
place, had come up for discussion, while the Potsdam and Wa- 
tertown Rail Road was in course of organization, but nothing was 
then effected. It was next proposed to connect that place with 
the road last named, in the town of De Kalb, but the present pro- 
ject has superceded there. 

Both the Utica and the Rome routes have been surveyed and 
located, and the most active efforts have been made to secure 
subscriptions along the lines of each, which, from Boonville to 
Theresa, a distance of about sixty miles, nearly coincide, and 
repeatedly cross each other. Both routes have been let to res- 
ponsible parties, and subscriptions sufficient to warrant the un- 
dertaking have been secured by each. 

An act was passed May 27, 1S53, making it lawful for the 
common council of the city of Utica to borrow, on the faith and 
credit of that city, any sum of money not exceeding $250,000, 
for a term not exceeding twenty years, for the purpose of aiding 
the construction of this road. Before this act could take effect, 
it was to be submitted to the tax paying voters of the city, at a 
special meeting to be held for the purpose. On the same day, a 
similar power was granted to the trustees of the village of Rome, 
to the extent of raising $'150,000, for the Ogdensburgh, Carthage 
and Rome Rail Road, the bonds to bear the corporate seal of the 
village, and their management to be entrusted to Roland S. Doty, 
Harvy Brayton, William L. Howland, Gordon L. Bissell and Eri 
Seymour, who were styled the " Commissioners of the Rail Road 
Fund of Rome." Both of these acts have since been confirmed 
by large majorities at elections held for that purpose. 

Several prominent capitalists and citizens of the village of Og- 
densburgh havedecided upon an application to the legislature for a 
similar power, to issue the bonds of their corporation for $100,000, 
and there is little doubt that such a measure would be sanctioned by 
the citizens, if submitted to their votes. There has long been a want 
of sympathy at that place, in the welfare of the Northern Rail 
Road, owing to the control which has been exercised by the 
Boston proprietors, and there seems to be a desire to secure a di- 
rect communication by rail road, independent of the one now con- 
structed. 

The ceremony of breaking ground for the Black River and 
Utica Rail Road took place at Utica, August 27, at which ad- 
dresses were delivered by Governor Seymour, ex-Governor Hunt, 
and other distinguished gentlemen, and the occasion was cele- 
brated by military parade and general festivities. This road 
was contracted August 10, to be graded in 1854. The Rome 
road was let November 7, to be graded and ready for the super- 



Black River Company. 343 

structure September 1, 1854, and work upon this has also been 
commenced. 

The active spirit of rivalry that has characterized these two 
companies, and the determination which has been evinced by- 
each, render it probable that one or both of them will be built; 
nor has it been determined, at the time of our writing, whether 
a union will not be effected from Boonville to Theresa, between 
which points the routes of the two roads nearly coincide. 

A line has been surveyed by the Utica company, from near 
Philadelphia to Rossie, and south of Black Lake to Ogdens-* 
burgh; and an eligible route is said to have been found. The 
prevailing direction of the valleys correspond with that of this 
route. 

Telegraphs. — In 1850, O'Reiley's Merchants'' Line of tele- 
graph, operating on the Bain principle, was erected along the 
stage road, from Oswego, by way of Pulaski, Adams, Water- 
town, and Theresa, to Ogdensburgh, at each of which, offices 
were opened. It was subsequently purchased by the Morse line, 
and on the 1st of February, 1853, the principle patented by 
Professor Morse, was adopted. During the summer of 1853, a 
telegraph was built by citizens of Sackets Harbor, along the 
direct plank road from Watertown to that place. 

Water Communication. — The incorporation of a company for 
improving the navigation of Black River to Brownville Village, 
has been noticed on page 99. The river was declared a public 
highway, from High Falls to Carthage, by an act passed March 16, 
4821, which also authorized road commissioners to forbid the 
crossing of bridges faster than a walk, within fifty miles of its 
mouth. On the 28th of March, 1828, the Black River Canal 
Company was formed. This company organized, and caused a 
survey of a canal to be made, from Rome to the High Falls, 
by Alfred Cruger, but did nothing more. This may be considered 
the first step towards the Black River Canal. The route had 
been noticed in the governor's message, in 1825, among many 
others, and the first proposition was to construct a navigable com- 
munication from the Erie Canal, at Herkimer, to the head waters 
of Black River, and thence to Ogdensburgh. The former act 
having expired, another was passed, April 17, 1832, incorpora- 
ting the Black River Company for the purpose of connecting, by 
rail roads, or canals, the Erie Canal, at Rome, or Herkimer, with 
Ogdensburgh, Cape Vincent, or Sackets Harbor, including the 
improvement of Black River, from the High Falls to Carthage 
for steam navigation. The capital was limited to $900,000, in 
shares of $50 each; and one or more of the following sections 
was to be completed within three years, viz: From the Erie 
Canal to High Falls; from the latter through Watertown to 



344 Black River Canal. 

Sackets Harbor; from Carthage to Sackets Harbor; from the 
river at Carthage to Cape Vincent; from Carthage to Ogclens- 
burgh, or the improvement of the river above Carthage for steam 
boat navigation. The persons named in the act, were Vincent 
le Ray de Chaumont, Eli West, Samuel Allen, Ela Collins, 
John W. Martin, Jerre Carrier, Elisha Camp, John Brown, 
Abram Parish, Charles A. Mann, George Varigh, Ralph Clapp, 
John Felt, Isaac W. Bostwick, Homer Collins, James McVickar, 
Peter Schuyler, George Brayton, and Benjamin P. Johnson. This 
company was so far organized as to build a steam boat on Black 
River, at Carthage, which was called the Cornelia. It was built 
in 1832, by Paul Boynton, for the company, at a cost of $6,000, 
with a keel 90 feet long, and a breadth, across the guards, of 22 
feet. She had two upright, high pressure engines, of ten horse 
power each, built by N. Starbuck & Son, of Troy. Being found to 
draw too much water, one engine was taken out. The first trip 
was September 22, 1832, to Lowville, where she grounded, and 
was got off with much difficulty. The boat continued to run, 
the ensuing season, to the High Falls, with an hourly speed 
of six and one half miles, frequently getting aground, and 
proving to be too large for the river, and, eventually, nearly a 
total loss to the proprietors, of whom, Mr. Le Ray was the prin- 
cipal. A thrilling incident occurred on the first trip of this boat 
to the Falls. The man at the tiller wishing to show the party 
on board, and the spectators on shore, the qualities of his craft, 
steered up so near under the falls, that, as he turned, the spray * 
from the torrent deluged the deck, and the boat, itself, camfc 
within a few feet of being brought under the fall. Fortunately 
there w r as a heavy pressure of steam up at the moment, and they 
escaped with a thorough drenching. This attempt proved the 
practicability of navigating the river forty-two and a half miles; 
but no subsequent attempt was made until the summer of 1853, 
when the Enterprise, a canal boat, temporarily fitted up by G. 
H. Gould, for the purpose, with a stern wheel, was rigged out 
at the High Falls, and made a few trips. 

On the 22d of April, 1834, an act was passed, authorizing the 
survey of a canal, from below the High Falls to the Erie Canal, 
with a navigable feeder, and an improvement of the river to Carth- 
age. Having ascertained the feasibility of this route, on the 19th 
of April, 1836, an act was passed, providing for the construction 
of the Black River Canal, and Erie Canal Feeder, of which 
the river was to be a part. Work was soon after commenced, 
and more or less, except during the " suspension," prosecuted 
since, till at present we almost realize this long expected, and 
long deferred communication with the great markets; which, 
from being anticipated by rail roads, will possess much less im- 



Black River Canal. 345 

portance than "was formerly attached to it. Still, for the lumber 
and mineral products of a portion of the county, it will afford a 
valuable exit, and will contribute to the public welfare. 

Many interesting topographical details have been obtained in 
the course of these surveys, which possess permanent interest. 
The following is a concise description of the canals, as given in 
the report of the state engineer and surveyor for ]S51 (p. 77): 

"This canal diverges from the Erie Canal, at the village of 
Rome, Oneida County, following up the valley of the Mohawk 
River and its tributary, the Lansing Kill, to the summit level, a 
distance of twenty-three miles; thence crossing the dividing 
ridge between the Mohawk and Black Rivers, about two miles, 
to the village of Boonville; thence descends into the valley of 
the Black River, and at the distance of ten and one-third miles 
it enters said river below the High Falls, in the county of 
Lewis; thence it follows the river, by slack water navigation, a 
distance of forty-two and one-half miles, to the village of Car- 
thage, in the county of Jefferson, making the whole length of 
the canal and river about seventy-eight, miles. 

A navigable feeder, of ten miles in length, is constructed from 
the Black River, entering the canal at the village of Boonville, 
which is designed for a feeder to the Black River Canal, and 
also for the Erie Canal. Add to the canal, river and feeder, 
two miles of navigation on the reservoir above the State Dam, 
making in all ninety miles of navigation, when the whole work 
is finished. 

From Rome to Boonville, a distance of twenty-five miles, 
there are seventy locks, overcoming an elevation of six hundred 
and ninety-three feet, which are distributed as follows: Five 
single locks of eight feet lift, three of nine feet, forty-six often 
feet, four of eleven feet, one of twelve feet, two combinations of 
three each of ten feet, and one combination of five locks, each 
ten feet lift. There are also located, on this part of the canal, 
four aqueducts, eight culverts, seven waste-weirs, seventeen 
road bridges, eighteen farm bridges, one dam and bulk-head, 
eighteen lock houses built, and three to build, and a feeder and 
guard-lock at Delta, yet to be built. 

From Boonville to the High Falls, a distance of ten and one- 
third miles, there are located thirty-nine locks, with a descent of 
three hundred and eighty-six feet, the lifts of which are as fol- 
lows: Four single locks of nine feet lift, ten often feet, one of 
ten and one-half feet, one of eleven and one-half feet, one of 
twelve feet; one combination of four locks, each nine feet; two 
combinations of four, each ten feet; one combination of three, 
each ten feet; one combination of three, with two of ten feet 
and one of four feet; one combination of two, of eleven feet, 
and one combination of two, of twelve feet. 



346 Black River Canal. 

There are, also, one aqueduct, seven culverts, one waste-weir, 
six road biidges, sixteen farm bridges, two change bridges, and 
one dam, located on this part of the canal, and when brought 
into use, eleven lock houses will be required. 

On the Black River Feeder, from Boonville, to and including 
the reservoir on the Black River, a distance of twelve miies, 
there are located, one guard-lock, three culverts, three waste- 
weirs, ten road bridges, two farm bridges, one tow-path bridge, 
one dam, one lock house, and six stop-gates. On the Black 
River, between High Falls and Carthage, a distance of forty-two 
and one-half miles, are located, one dam at Carthage, and two 
draw bridges, one at Illingworths, and the other at Beach's 
Landing. 

On the whole line of canal, feeder and river, there will be 
one hundred and nine locks, five aqueducts, eleven waste-weirs, 
eighteen culverts, thirty-three road bridges, thirty-six farm 
bridges, three change and tow-path bridges, two guard-locks, 
one dam and bulk-head, three dams, thirty-three lock houses, six 
stop-gates, two draw bridges, and the Delta feeder." 

At the time when the work was suspended, in 1842, the sec- 
tion work south of Boonville was mostly done, except on five 
sections; forty-seven locks were mostly finished, except framing 
and hanging gates, and a large amount of other work was more 
or less completed; but during the five years that the labor was 
suspended, a great part of the timber was so injured as to be- 
come almost useless. North of Boonville, about six miles of 
section work had been let, of which two were completed, and 
the others w T ell advanced. Two locks were nearly finished, and 
the feeder had been about half done. Two culverts were built 
upon it, and the materials in part delivered for the guard-lock 
and dam. The value of materials on hand, at that time, was 
$60,3S3-86, of which $20,000 worth, were made available, and 
the remainder was a loss to the state. 

In 1851, the canal had been brought into use as far as Port 
Leyden, and such is the forwardness of the remainder, that its 
completion to Carthage appears not distant. During the dry 
season of 1849, all the water at the head of the feeder was used, 
and still there was a deficiency of 7000 cubic feet per minute. 
This led to a plan for ensuring a supply by constructing dams 
at the outlets of some of the lakes above this point which receive 
the drainage of many thousand acres. 

The descent of Black River from the High Falls to Carthage 
is 9| feet in low water, and 23 feet in high water; as at such 
times the rise at the former place is 22 feet, and at Carthage 
but eight feet. The quantity of water passing the falls at its 
lowest stage is about 30,000 cubic feet per minute, and is not 



Black River Canal. 347 

materially increased until it receives the Otter and Independence 
Creeks. Among the several plans that were proposed to im- 
prove the channel, that of constructing a dam and lock near In- 
dependence Creek, is said to have been decided upon. A dam 
is also to be built at the village of Carthage above the present 
dam, where the river is about 700 feet wide, and from three to 
four feet deep in low water, with a rock bottom. 

In 1837, the project of extending the Black River Canal from 
Carthage to Ogdensburgh, or some point on the St. Lawrence, 
began to be discussed; and in the fall of 1838 meetings were 
held at Watertown, Evans' Mills, Theresa, and other places. 
Petitions, memorials, and statistics, were forwarded to the legis- 
lature, and on the 2d of May, 1839, a bill was passed author- 
izing a survey of the several routes proposed. This labor was 
entrusted to Edward H, Brodhead, who, in the summer of 1839, 
surveyed a route from Carthage to Clayton, from Carthage to 
Sackets Harbor, from Carthage to Ox Bow, and thence, by im- 
proving the Oswegatchie, to Ogdensburgh, and another branch of 
this route to Gouverneur, and thence near the river to Ogdens- 
burgh. By these surveys, Carthage was found to be 480 feet 
above the lake. These surveys created a lively interest through- 
out the central and northern parts of the county, and a conven- 
tion from St. Lawrence and a part of Jefferson Counties met at 
Gouverneur on the 27th of June, 1839, at which, a series of reso- 
lutions was passed, reasserting the claims of northern New York 
upon a share of the state patronage, and the wants of this sec- 
tion for a cheap and direct access to market. The report of Mr. 
Brodhead, with an accompanying map, was submitted to the 
legislature in 1840,* and provision was made for the selection 
of one of the routes surveyed, by three disinterested men from the 
1st, 2d and 3d, or 8th, senate districts; but a change of policy in 
relation to the minor public works, which also suspended the 
larger, put an end to the discussion by postponing it indefinitely. 
The experience at present had in relation to railways renders it 
probable that the subject of a canal beyond Carthage will never 
be revived. 

On the 12th of April, 1848, the Black River Steam Boat Com- 
pany was chartered for fifteen years, with a capital of $25,000, 
to build one or more boats to navigate the river, subject to such 
tolls as might be imposed. The persons named in the act were 
Amos Buck, Harrison Blodget, Hiram McCollom, Dean S. How- 
ard, Lyman R. Lyon, Alburn Foster, Alfred Lathrop, Walter 
Nimocks, Eli West, Charles Dayan, James Smith, Wm. F. Strong, 

* Assembly Documents, 1840, No. 233. 

23 



348 Navigation of the Lakes. 

Elijah Horr and Reuben Rice. A subscription was circulated, 
but nothing was accomplished by this company. 

By an act of April 15, 1816, the Oswegatchie was declared a 
highway, from its mouth to Streeter's Mills, the present village 
of Wegatchie. On the 5th of April, 1853, Indian River was 
declared a public highway for floating logs in Antwerp, Phila- 
delphia, Le Ray, and Theresa, and the usual penalties were 
imposed for obstructing the channel. 

From the earliest period of our existence as a slate, the St. 
Lawrence was regarded as a natural outlet for the great chain 
of inland lakes, for which it served, in a great measure, as the 
channel of trade, until the construction of the Erie Canal. Both 
the French and the English had built vessels on this lake, while 
the supremacy of its waters was with them. A small but thriving 
commerce had arisen before the war, and during that period a 
formidable naval force sprung into existence, that was opposed 
by a similar one, fitted out at Kingston; and the hostile fleets 
upon Lake Ontario, at the close of the war, were increasing in 
number of sail, and amount of force, with a rapidity that has had 
few parallels in naval annals. 

At the conclusion of peace, these fleets were gradually broken 
up, or converted to commercial purposes, and, almost immediately 
after, the application of steam to navigation, which had already 
assumed importance on the Hudson and other waters, began to 
be applied to the lakes. 

The subject having been examined in the summer and fall of 

1815, articles of agreement were drawn up, dated January 2, 

1816, between Harriet Fulton, and Win, Cutting, of New York, 
executors of Robert Fulton, and Robert R. Livingston, and 
Edward P. Livingston, of Clermont, owners of the right and 
privilege of steam boat navigation in the state, by special act of 
the legislature, on the one part; and Charles Smyth, Joseph C. 
Yates, Thomas C. Duane, and David Boyd, on the other part, by 
which the latter acquired the sole right to navigate boats and 
vessels (steam ships and vessels of war excepted) by steam, on 
all or any of the waters of Lake Ontario, within the slate of New 
York, and the full and entire, and exclusive right, of employing 
in the navigation of the same waters such inventions and im- 
provements, in the navigation of boats by steam or fire, to which 
the grantors, or any of them, had or hereafter might have right 
or title by patent, &c. 

It was provided and stipulated, that but one boat should be 
employed at a time on any route to be established on the said 
waters, by virtue of this contract, without the consent in writing 
of the grantors, and until the net proceeds of the said one boat 
should exceed twenty per cent per annum. One boat was to be 



Steam Navigation on Lake, Ontario. 



349 



built within two years. The grantees paid ten dollars on the 
execution of the agreement, and covenanted to pay, annually, 
on the first of January (deducting $1,500 from the gross receipts 
of each year, and the current expenses of running the boat), 
one half of all moneys received above twelve per cent on the 
investment. The $1,500 was to be withdrawn, annually, until 
it should amount to $12,000, which was to constitute a sinking 
fund for rebuilding the boat. Should the grantees acquire from 
the British government any privileges for the navigation of the 
lake, they were to be shared equally by the contracting parties, 
and these privileges were not transferable. Application was to 
be made for the incorporation of an association, to be styled the 
Ontario Steam Boat Company, with a capital of $200,000. 

On the 6th of February, 1816, a petition from Charles Smyth, 
David Boyd, Eri Lusher, Abraham Van Santvoord, John J. De 
Graff, and their associates, was presented, in which the essential 
facts, above stated, were given, and an act of incorporation 
solicited. A bill was prepared and passed the house, by a vote 
of 76 to 40, but did not become a law, in consequence of the 
early adjournment of the legislature. On the 16th of August, of 
the same year, Eri Lusher, and Charles Smyth, became, by assign- 
ment of De Graff and Boyd, partners in the enterprise, and a 
boat was commenced at Sackets Harbor, the same summer, after 
the model of the Sea Horse, then running on the Sound near New 
York. She was 110 feet long, 24 feet wide, and eight feet deep, 




First Steam Boat on the Great Lakes, 1816. 

measuring 237 tons. The boilers are said to have been seventeen 
feet long and three and a half feet in diameter, with a cross head 
engine, and cylinder of twenty inches diameter, and three feet 
stroke; wheels eleven feet four inches across, and capacity of en- 
gine, twenty-one horse power. 
The following application for an act of incorporation, is 



350 Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario. 

without date, but was drawn up in December, 1816, for the ses- 
sion of the legislature next ensuing. 

" To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York: 

The petition of Charles Smyth, of the city of Albany, and Eri 
Lusher, of the city of Schenectady, who, together with Major Ge- 
neral Jacob Brown, are the proprietors of the exclusive right to 
the navigation of the American waters of Lake Ontario by steam 
or fire, most humbly showeth: 

That your petitioners, with M. T. Woolsey, Samuel F. Hooker, 
Hunter Crane, and Elisha Camp, Esquires, have lately constructed 
a steam boat at Sackets Harbor; that they are desirous of ob- 
taining an act of incorporation for a company, under the style of 
the Lake Ontario Steam Boat Company, with a capital of 
two hundred thousand dollars, and power to establish branches at 
Lewiston, Genesee River, Oswego, Sackets Harbor, Cape Vin- 
cent and Ogdensburgh; that whatever reasons may be urged 
against steam boats in other parts of the country, on Lake Onta- 
rio, they can not fail of producing the best effects, as instead of 
injuring the villages on its banks, they will materially tend to 
promote their increase and prosperity; that the cost of a boat so 
far exceeds the means which mercantile men, generally, can now 
command, that your petitioners are unable to build any further, 
and for obvious reasons, they can not induce large capitalists to 
embark with them without an act of incorporation; that the 
English in the province of Upper Canada have constructed a 
steam boat of seven hundred tons burthen, avowedly for the 
purpose of engrossing the business of both sides of the lake; that 
independent of the wealth of the individuals composing that 
association, the provincial government has promised them every 
encouragement, and has actually passed an order in council, impos- 
ing a duty of two dollars and fifty cents per ton on all American 
vessels above one hundred tons burthen, by which means the 
steam boat of your petitioners, exceeding two hundred tons, is 
effectually excluded from the Canadian waters, while the Eng- 
lish boat may freely navigate ours, in which no such tonnage duty 
exists. 

It is well known to your petitioners and to every man acquaint- 
ed with the commerce of the lakes, that an establishment of thij 
nature will be of very great benefit to the inhabitants of the 
western country. The delays which now occur in the transport- 
ation of property destined for Detroit and the settlements on 
Lake Erie, would be, in a great measure, removed, and with them 
the objections frequently made by merchants from that quarter to 
extensive purchases in Albany and New York. 

The navy department of the United States, apparently influ- 



Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario. 351 

enced by an opinion of the great utility of steam boats on Lake 
Ontario, generously directed a sufficiency of timber from the na- 
val depot to be delivered to the agent of one of your petitioners, 
upon his paying therefor a reasonable sum of money. The boat 
is now built, and if the experiment succeed, it is the intention of 
your petitioners to grant privileges to as many associations on 
the American shore as apply for a right. They therefore hum- 
bly entreat that your honorable body will be pleased to grant them 
the charter prayed for, or, if that should be deemed improper, 
such an act of incorporation as will enable them to dispense the 
advantages of steam navigation to their fellow citizens from 
Lewiston to Ogdensburgh. 

And as in duty bound, 

Your petitioners will ever pray. 
(Signed) Charles Smyth. 

Eri Lusher. 

This application did not succeed. Early in 1817, the steamer 
Ontario was completed and performed her first trip, being every 
where greeted with the most lively demonstrations of joy. Bon- 
fires, illuminations, and mutual congratulations of friends, bespoke 
the satisfaction with which this achievement was regarded, and 
the event was hailed as a new era in the commerce of the lakes. 
Weekly trips from Ogdensburgh to Lewiston were first attempted, 
but on the first of July, 1817, the owners advertised, that finding 
the trip of about 600 miles, too extensive to be performed within 
that time, it would be altered to ten days. The fare through 
was fixed at $'15. Capt. Francis Mallaby, U. S. N., was her first 
master. The Ontario continued to run, seldom exceeding five 
miles an hour, until 1832, when she was broken up at Oswego. 

The monopoly of steam navigation on the waters of the state, 
granted by repeated acts of the legislature to Robert R. Liv- 
ingston and Robert Fulton, gave rise to much litigation; and, in 
in a suit of Ogden against Gibbons, commenced in the Court of 
Chancery, 'September 27, 1819, it was decided in favor of the 
grant.* 

An appeal was made to the Court of Errors,f and the case 
was finally decided in the Supreme Court of the United States,J 
in February, 1824, that the act was " repugnant to the clause 
of the Constitution of the United States, which authorises 
Congress to regulate commerce, so far as the said acts pro- 
hibit vessels, licensed according to the laws of the United States, 
for carrying on the coasting trade, from navigating the said 
waters by means of fire or steam." 

* Johnson's Chancery Reports, iv, 148. tCowen's Reports, iii, 713. 
t Wheaton's Reports, ix, 1 . 



352 Steam Boats. — Wreck of the Martha Ogden. 

The Ontario was the first steamer built on a water subject to a 
swell, and determined the interesting problem that steam boats 
were adapted to the navigation of open seas, as well as sheltered 
rivers. The Frontenac was built soon after, at Kingston, and 
the next season the first steamer appeared on Lake Erie. 

The Martha Ogden was built in 1819, at Sackets Harbor, and 
continued in use until lost in 1832, under the following circum- 
stances: The boat (William Vaughan, master) had left Oswego 
on the afternoon of November 12, when she encountered a gale, 
and being unable to regain the port, started for Sackets Harbor; 
but a leak having sprung, the fires were put out, and her sails 
were raised. The wind, which in the afternoon had been S. W., 
veered to W. N. W., then N. W., and lastly N., which prevented 
her from doubling Stony Point. Both anchors were thrown 
out in eight and a half fathoms, which held from 4 till lip. m., 
when they successively parted, and she soon after struck and 
bilged in ten feet of water. There were on board six hands, and 
twenty-two passengers. With much peril, a man at length 
reached the shore, eight rods from the boat, rallied the inhabit- 
ants, built fires, and in Ihe morning a line was passed to the 
shore, and the whole company on board were safely drawn 
ashore in a three-bushel basket, rigged upon a line, with a Dutch 
harness. Captain Vaughan was the last one to leave the wreck, 
which went to pieces during the day. She was owned by S. & 
L. Denison, of Sackets Harbor, and proved a total loss. This 
wreck occurred at Nutting's Bay, on the coast of Henderson. 

The Sophia, Robbi7is, Black Hawk (afterward the Dolphin), 
Brownville (afterwards the William Jivery), Charles Carroll, 
( afterwards the America), and Paul Pry, were steamers on 
the lake and river, built at an early period, and previous to 
1834. 

On the 28th of January, 1831, an act was passed constituting 
Joseph Denison and his associates a corporate body, under the 
name of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steam Boat Company, 
with a capital of $100,000, and limited in duration to May 1st, 
1850. The owners of the Ontario and Martha Ogden, hereto- 
fore employed in navigating the lake and river, were entitled to 
the amount of the appraised value of those boats. The affairs of 
the company were to be managed by fifteen directors, of whom 
the first were to be Joseph Denison, Edward Bronson, Gerrit 
Smith, Elias Trowbridge, Theopilus S. Morgan, Richard L. 
De Zeng, Horatio N. Walton, Josiah T. Marshall, John T. 
Trowbridge, Frederick Bushnell, Elisha Camp, Jacob Arnold, 
William Baron,* John C. Bush, and Samuel Denison. The stock- 
holders were jointly and severally liable for the debts contracted 

• "Boron," in the act-, probably William Baco%, 



Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario. 353 



"o 



by the corporation, and persons having demands against the 
company might sue any stockholder or director lor the recovery 
of the same. The place of business of the company was to be 
fixed at Oswego, and ils transactions limited solely to the navi- 
gation of the Ontario and River St. Lawrence. This company built 
at Ogdensburgh the steamer United States, which for size and 
amount of accommodation, far surpassed any boat that had been 
previously run by Americans on this water. She was launched in 
November, 1831, and came out on her first trip July 1st, 1S32, 
under the command of Elias Trowbridge. Her dimensions were 
as follows: length, 142 feet; width, 26 feet beam, and 55 feet 
overall; depth of hold 10 feet; engines, low pressure, with a 
40 inch cylinder and 8 feet stroke. Cost, $56,000. She con- 
tinued running on the through line, from Ogdensburgh to Lew- 
iston, till 1838, when, having become obnoxious to the Canadians 
from the use made of her at the affair at the Wind-mill, near 
Prescott, she was run upon the lake only afterwards, until 1843, 
when she was broken up at Oswego, and her engines transferred 
to the Rochester. 

The following boats have since been built on this lake: 

Oswego, at that place, 1833, 2S6 tons. After running six 
years her engines were transferred to the St. Lawrence. 

Jack Downing, built at Carthage in 1834, by Paul Boynton, 
and drawn on wheels to Sackets Harbor — very small. After- 
wards a ferry boat. 

Oneida, of 227 tons, built at Oswego in 1836; A. Smith first 
master; owned by Henry Fitzhugh of Oswego, E. B. Allen and 
G. N. Seymour of Ogdensburgh. In 1845 fitted up as a sail ves-' 
sel, and lost at Lake Erie. 

Telegraph, 196 tons, built at Dexter, in 1836; owned by 
parties at Utica, Watertown and Sackets Harbor; afterwards 
changed to a sail vessel, and burnt on Lake St. Clair. 

Express, built at Pultneyville, in 1839— H. N. Throop, first 
master and part owner. Laid up in 1850. 

St. Lawrence, 402 tons, enrolled at Oswego, in 1839; rebuilt 
in 1844, and increased to 434 tons; cost $50,000. Laid up at 
Clayton, in 1850. Length ISO feet, beam 23 feet, hold 11 feet. 

George Clinton and President, small boats, built at Oswego, 
about 1842. 

John Marshall, a small steamer wrecked in a storm off 
the mouth of Sandy Creek, October 18, 1844. Several other 
boats, of minor class, have at various times run upon the lake 
and St. Lawrence River. 

The corporation that built the steamer United States, never 
attempted any other boat. About 1842, a stock company, styled 
the Ontario Steam and Canal Boat Company, was formed at 



354 Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario. 

Oswego, and in that year built the Lady of the Lake, of 423 
tons, which was used on the through line until 1852, when she 
was chartered as a ferry, from Cape Vincent to Kingston, in 
connection with the rail road. She was the first American boat 
on this water, with state-rooms on the upper deck. 

The Rochester was built at Oswego, by the same company, in* 
1843, of 354 tons, and run on the through line till 1848, since 
which she has run from Lewiston to Hamilton. 

The Niagara, of 433 tons, built at French Creek, by the St. 
Lawrence Steam Boat Company, which had been formed soon 
after that at Oswego. This boat is still in use in the American 
Mail Line; has a length of 182 feet; beam, 27|- feet; total 
breadth, 47 feet; depth of hold, 1\ feet. The engine was built 
at the Archimedes Works, in New York, and has a cylinder 40 
inches in diameter, with 11 feet stroke; wheels, 30 feet in 
diameter. 

The Cataract, built at Clayton, in 1847, measures 577 tons; 
length of keel, 202 feet; breadth of beam, 27| feet; across the 
guards, 48 feet; depth of hold, 10 feet; wheels, 30 feet in di- 
ameter. Engines, by H. R. Dunham & Co., Archimedes Works, 
New York; cylinder 44 inches in diameter, and a stroke of 11 
feet; cost about $60,000. Commanded, in 1847-8, by James 
Van Cleve; in 1849-51, by R. B. Chapman, and in 1852-3, by 
A. D. Kilby. 

Ontario, was built in 1847, at Clayton. Extreme length, 
240| feet; breadth of beam, 32 feet, and over all, 54§ feet; 
depth of hold, 12 feet. Engine, by T. IF. Secor & Co., New 
York; cylinder, 50 inches in diameter, and 11 feet stroke. Ton- 
nage, 900. Cost, $80,000. 

Bay State, built at Clayton, and came out on her first trip in 
June, 1849, with James Van Cleve, master, the first season. 
She has a tonnage of 935, and the following dimensions, viz: 
Length, 222 feet; breadth of beam, 31^ feet, and over all, 58 
feet; depth of hold, 12 feet. Engines from Archimedes Works, 
New York, with cylinder 56 inches in diameter, and 11 feet 
stroke. Wheels, 32 feet in diameter. 

The Northerner, built at Oswego, by G. S. Weeks, and came 
out in May, 1850. Tonnage, 905. Length, 232 feet; beam, 
30|- feet; extreme breadth, 58 feet; depth of hold, 12^ feet; 
wheels, 32 feet in diameter. Cost, $95,000. Engines, by T. F. 
Secor & Co., with cylinder 60 inches in diameter, and 11 feet 
stroke. 

The New York, the largest steamer on the lake, was built in 
1851-2, at Clayton, by John Oades, the builder of the others at 
this place, and came out on her first trip in August, 1852, with 
R. 13. Chapman, master. Tonnage, 994. Length, 224 feet; 



Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario. 355 

beam, 32§ feet; entire breadth, 64 feet. Engines, by H. R. 
Dunham & Co., of New York; cylinder, 60 inches in diameter, 
and 12 feet stroke. Wheels, 64 feet in diameter, and cost about 
$100,000. 

In 1848, the two companies above named, which were gener- 
ally styled The Utica Company, and the St. Lawrence Com- 
pany, united into one, and assumed the name of the Ontario 
and St. Lawrence Steam Boat Company, having a capital of 
$750,000, and the following officers: E. B. Allen, president; 
E. B. Allen, G. N. Seymour, H. Van Rensselaer, A. Chapman, 
E. G. Merrick, S. Buckley, H. Fitzhugh, A. Munson, T. S. Fax- 
ton, H. White, L. Wright, directors; and James Van Cleve, 
secretary and treasurer. 

This company is the owner of eleven steamers, in daily use 
during the summer season, as follows: 

Express Line, from Ogdensburgh toLewiston direct, touching 
at Clayton and Cape Vincent, a daily line of two steamers, from 
May till October, viz: Bay State, Captain John Ledyard, and 
New York, Captain R. B. Chapman. 

Mail Line, from Ogdensburgh to Lewiston, touching at Pres- 
cott, Morristown, Brockville, Alexandria Bay, Clayton, Kings- 
ton, Sackets Harbor, Oswego, Genesee River and Lewiston. A 
daily line of three steamers, viz: Cataract, Captain A. D. 
Kilby; Niagara, Captain G. B. Estes; Ontario, Captain H. N. 
Throop. In 1852, the steamer Northerner, Captain R. F. Child, 
formed one of this line. 

The American Line, from Ogdensburgh to Montreal daily, 
viz: British Queen, Captain J. LaFlamme; British Empire, 
Captain D. S. Allen; Jenny Lind, Captain L. Moody. From 
Cape Vincent to Kingston, The Lady of the Lake, Captain Root. 
From Lewiston to Hamilton, the Rochester, Captain I. Mason. 

In safety, regularity and despatch, these boats will com- 
pare with those on any inland water in the Union; and such 
has been the skill and care exercised in their management, 
that not a single life has been lost, or injury to passengers 
occurred from accident, upon these, or any of the steamers 
owned and run upon the American side of the lake. The me- 
lancholy accident that befel the Ocean Wave, a boat with a 
British license, and running in connection with the Northern 
Rail Road, in the spring of 1853, is entirely without parallel 
upon this lake, and was said to be due to a faulty construction. 

The multiplied means of safety which are provided, according 
to law, upon these boats, would do much to prevent the tragic 
results, which, with the exemplary care exercised, could scarcely 
happen. The steamers upon this lake are characterized for the 
perfection, neatness and convenience of their arrangements, and 



356 Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario. 

the attractive scenery upon their routes; and the throng of plea- 
sure-seeking tourists that pass up and down the St. Lawrence 
during the summer season, is constantly increasing. 

The» steamer Bay State, during the season of 1852, run 47,310 
miles, equal to sixteen times across the Atlantic, and her wheels 
performed 5,000,000 of revolutions. No accidents or delays, what- 
ever, occurred. The duty, performed by the other boats, would 
doubtless compare with this. 

No opportunity has occurred to collect the statistics of steam 
navigation, upon the Canadian side of the lake. 

The Passport, Magnet, Maple Leaf, New Era, Arabian, Lord 
Elgin, St. Lawrence, Boston, and other boats, were running upon 
regular lines, in 1853, some of them from Montreal to Hamilton, 
and the Champion, Highlander and May Flower, formed a daily 
line between Cape Vincent and Hamilton, touching at the prin- 
cipal ports on the north shore of the lake. 

The Watertown and Rome Rail Road, and the Northern Rail 
Road, have each lines of propellers running to the Upper Lakes, 
connecting with freight trains, and affording families of emigrants 
to the western country, a cheap and convenient mode of passage. 

In accordance with a law of Congress, passed March 3, 1849, 
sail vessels on the northern lakes are required to display in the 
night time a red light, if on the starboard tack; a green one, if 
on the larboard, and vessels going off large or before the wind, a 
white light. Steam boats and propellers are required to carry by 
night, a triangular light, with red glass on the larboard, and green 
on the starboard side, with reflectors, and of sufficient size to 
give a good light. A failure to observe these regulations, renders 
the parties liable to all damage resulting, and a fine of $100. 

The exemption from accident, which these steamers have 
hitherto enjoyed, may be ascribed, in part, to the excellence of 
their construction, and, in part, to the direct interest of the officers 
of the boats in their safe management, from their pecuniary in- 
terest invested in them. A submarine railway at Ogdensburgh, 
now constructing, is destined to confer great benefits upon the 
navigation of the lake, by affording the means for taking the 
largest class of steamers and vessels out of the water for repairs. 



Statistics of Population and Resources. 



357 



CHAPTER VI. 

STATISTICS CF POPULATION AND RESOl RCES. 

The following table gives the results of the several censuses, 
taken by order of the state and general governments, since the 
first settlement of the county. The returns for 1807 give the 
number of legal voters, with property qualifications, only. In 
1801 there were 76 voters in Champion, and 134 in Watertown. 



Towns. 



Adams 

Alexandria. . . 

Antwerp 

Brown ville. . . 
Cape Vincent. 
Champion . . . 

Clayton 

Eilisburgh . . . 
Henderson. . . 
Hnundsfield . . 

LeRay 

Lorraine 

Lyme 

Orleans 

Pamelia 

Philadelphia . 

Rodman 

Rutland 

Theresa 

Watertown. . 

Wilna 

Worth 



Total. 



1307. 1810. 1814. 1820. 1S25. 1830. 1835 



163 



181 



1.376 
1,662 



182 



96 
123 
226 
153 
161 



1,481 



236 
236 



231 



1,725 

1.333 
943 

1,150 
812 



1.277 
1,733 



1,841 



303 
1,937 



1,691 



2 32.5 
1,402 
1.330 
1,120 
810 



1,484 
1,694 



2.458 
261 



2,401 



1.319 

3.990 



2 0>0 



3.531 
1,919 
3429 
2 944 
1 112 
1,724 



1,342 

820 

1,735 

1,946 



2,876 
643 



2.41.5 
1.543 
2557 
2,580 



2,02^ 



4.733 
2.074 
2.769 
2 556 
1.400 
2 563 
3.541 
1.98S 
826 
1,719 
2,102 



2.905 
1,523 
2.412 
2,938 



2.312 



5,292 
2.423 
3:415 
3.430 
1,727 
2,872 
3101 
2,203 
1,167 
1.901 
2,339 



2 970 
2,701 
2CI4 

2.890 



3,416 
1,126 



4,769 
1,602 



2.490 
3.314 
5 029 
18,970 
3,558 
3 668 
1,615 
3 816 
2,044 
2.332 
1.616 
1,69S 
2,111 



4.279 
2,053 



1,983 15,143 18,564 33,982 11.941 48 425 53.793 00,549 01,999 63,442 



1840. 



2,960 
3,476 
3.109 
3,968 



2 200 
3.990 
5.349 
2,480 
4.140 
3,721 
1.099 
5,472 
3,001 
2,104 
1 S88 
1702 
2.090 



5.027 
2,591 



1S45. 1650 



3.055 
2.711 
3 330 
4.380 



2,146 
4,682 
5. 531 
2.345 
3.917 
3,853 
1,< ; 40 
0.013 
3.047 
2,254 
1 942 
1,694 
2,148 



3.106 
3.102 
3.6''5 
4.325 
3.044 
2.0-5 
4.191 
5 522 
2.239 
4,140 
3.654 
1.511 
2.925 
3 405 
2 523 
1 915 
1.784 
2.265 



2, 109 | 2,310 
5.4321 ".203 
2,714 2,993 
320 



The grades of qualification in 1801, in the two towns 
then comprising the county, were as follows: Champion, worth 
.£100 and upwards, one; worth less than .£20, but renting pro- 
perty worth 40 s. per ann., 75. Watertown, worth £100 and up- 
wards, two; worth less than £20, but renting property worth 40 s. 
per annum, 132. In 1807 the result was as follows: 



Towns. 



Adams 

Brownville. 
Champion.. 
Eilisburgh. 
Harrison . . . 
Henderson. 



,£100. 


£20-100. 


10 s : 
132 


25 


6 


34 


24 


123 


138 


38 


6 


88 


4 


4 


146 


70 


20 


I 57 


49 


221 



Towns. 

Houndsfield 
Le Ray . . . 

Malta 

Rutland ... 

Watertown 

Total.. 



£100. 


£20-100. 


47 





36 


22 


18 


3 


193 


21 


54 


6 


835 


2i9 



40 s. 

179 
95 

140 
22 

171 

914 



The census of 1810, gave Jhe following returns of manufactures 
in this county: 



358 



Statistics. 



Cotton goods made in families, yards (av. 32 cts.),. 
Flaxen goods made in families, yds. (av. 37! cts.),. . . . 

Blended and unnamed cloths, yds. (av. 35 cts.), 

Woolen goods made in families, yds. (av. 87! cts.),. . . 



1,392 

106,623 

1,475 

51,013 

660 

35,000 

40 000 

1,000 

50 

2 

16 

I 

9,650 

32,000 

25,600 

900 



Loot 

Carding machines 5, pounds carded (av. 50 cts. per lb.), 

Fulling mills 8, yards fulled (av. $1*25 per yd.), 

Hatteries 2, hats made (av. $2*50), 

Furnaces 2, tons of iron (av. from $100 to $120 per ton), 

Trip hammers, 

Tanneries, 

Hides tanned 750 (av. $4-25 each), calfskins 1,000 (av. $1-12 each, 

Oil mills 3. gallons made (av. $1-25), 

Distilleries 16, gallons made (av. 80 cts.), 

Breweries 2, gallons made (av. 17 cts.), 

Paper mills 1, reams made (av. $3.), 

The census of 1814, taken in pursuance of an act passed 
April 15, of that year, gave the following results: 

18,564 
1,039 

107 
1,641 
5,367 
3,376 

716 
5,204 
2,954 

700 

217 



Total population in the thirteen towns, 

Flectors, with freeholds of the value of £100, 

Electors, with freeholds worth from £20 to £100, 

Electors, not freeholders, renting tenements worth 40s. per ann., 

Free white males, under 18 years of age, 

Free white males, of the age of 18 and under 45, 

Free white males, of 45 years and upwards, 

Free white females, under 18 years, » 

Free white females, of the age of 18 and under 45, 

Free white females, of 45 years and upwards, 

All other free persons, 

Slaves (Brownville 1, Houndsfield 18, Le Ray 4, Watertown 5, 
Wilna 2), 



30 



No statistics but those of population were taken at this time. 
The national census of 1820, gave the following returns: 



White males under 10, .... 5,592 

White males from 10 to 16, 2,459 

« " " 16 to 18, 700 

« «• " 16 to 26, 

includ'g heads of families, 3,831 

White males from 26 to 45, 

includ'g heads of families, 4,143 
White males, 45 and upw'ds, 

includ'g heads of families, 1,574 

White females under 10, .. 5,521 

White females from 10 to 16, 2,397 
« ' « " 16 to 26, 



includ'g heads of families, 3,005 
White females from 26 to 45, 

includ'g heads of families, 3,040 
White females of 45 and up- 
wards, including heads of 

families, 1,250 

Foreigners not naturalized,. 787 

Persons eng'd in agriculture, 134 

" " manufactures, 1,603 

Slaves (Antwerp 4, Le Ray 1) 5 

Colored males, free, 79 

Colored females, free, 63 



Statistics of agriculture and manufactures were taken in 
1820, but we are not aware that they were printed in detail by 
separate counties. 

The several state censuses, taken in 1825, 1835, and 1845, 
give the following numbers of the different classes of population, 
and statistics of agriculture and manufactures in this county. 



Statistics. 



359 



Males, 

Females, 

Sub'l Mil'y duty, 

"Voters, 

Aliens, 

Paupers, 

Col. persons not taxed 
" " taxed, 
" " voters,.... 
Mar. fern, under 45, 
Unraar. " 16-45,. 
'' " under 16, 

Mar. year previous,. 
Births males, ".... 

' ' females, " . . 
Deaths male*, "... 

" females, ". . . 
Acres improved land 

Neat cattle, 

Horse», 



1825. 


1935. 


1845 . 


21,832 


27.140 


64,999 


19,S18 


25,898 


33,324 


5.060 


4.669 


5,893 


8,163 


lu,49S 


13.772 


1,030 


1,712 


2,049 


157 


89 


147 


152 


125 


168 


12 


12 


9 


2 




6 


5,490 


6,918 


,8,399 


2.743 


4,063 


5,4?5 


9,657 


11,992 


13,495 


332 


395 


749 


969 


1,068 


1,265 


900 


1,017 


1,025 


281 


355 


354 


215 


378 


430 


173,147 


258.348 


386,789 


44,730 


70,737 


85,934 


8,072 


15 813 


16,397 



Sheep 

Hogs, 

Yds. fulled cl. yr. pie 

" flannel &c 

" linen, cotton &c. 

Gris'. mills, 

Saw mills 

Oil mills,. 

Fulling mills, 

Carding machines... . 

Cotton factories, 

Woolen factories, 

Iron works, 

Trip-hammers, 

Distilleries, 

Asheries, , 

Tanneries, 

Glass factories, 

Rope factories, 

Breweries, 



1825. 

96,408 
3S.2U0 
76.814 
101,122 
129,239 
54 
107 
4 

34 

39 

3 

o 

18 
7 

30 
149 



1835 1845. 



114,371 

57.695 

77.043 

99,438 

98,055 

47 

134 

2 

28 

27 

2 

6 

10 

12 

13 

43 

36 

1 

1 

3 



184,536 

53,063 

80,135 

113,104 

70,304 

54 

168 

2 

26 

25 

2 

10 

21 

11 

a 

43 
1 
2 
4 



The census of 1830 and 1840 gave the following returns from 
Jefferson County: 



Whites under 5. . 

" 5 to 10 

" 10 " 15. 

" 15 " 20. 

" 20 " 30. 

" 30 " 40. 

« 40 " 50. 

" 50 " GO. 

" 60 " 70. 

" 70 " 80. 

" 80 " 90. 

" 90 "100. 

" over 100 . 
Colored persons. . 



1830. 



Males. 



4,361 

3,901 

3,211 

2,599 

4,376 

3,042 

1,872 

1,030 

474 

195 

47 

2 

2 

65 



Females. 



4,074 

3,698 

3,053 

2,716 

4,152 

2,440 

1,641 

830 

417 

176 

4 

4 

"74 



1840. 



Males. 



4,855 

4,615 

3,907 

3,647 

5,083 

3,687 

2,606 

1,567 

838 

351 

79 

11 

' 70 



Females. 



4,638 

4,217 

3,623 

3,677 

5,231 

3,462 

2,184 

1,406 

727 

299 

96 

7 

71 



From the census of 1840, we derive the following: 



Iron — Cast iron furnaces, 

6; tons 1,166 

Forges — mill, 1 ; tons.. 80 
Tons of fuel consumed 

in furnaces 1,869 

Men employed 256 

Capital invested $59,000 

Lead — Smelting house, 1 ; 

pounds 300,000 

Capital invested. $10,000 

Forest— Value of lumber. $247,448 

Tons pot and pearlash. 1,006 



Value of furs and skins $25 
Other products of the 

forest $15,854 

Men employed 131 

Manufactures — Machinery 

made $35,000 

Men employed 48 

Manufactures of metal. $22,000 

Men employed 18 

Marble, value $30 

Bricks and lime $11,732 

Men employed 32 



360 



Statistics. 



Total manufact'ing cap- 
ital $14,301 

Wool— Fulling mills 22 

Woolen manufactories. 11 

Value manufactured. . . $205,300 

Persons employed 292 

Capital invested $273,800 

Cotton — Factories, 1 ; spin- 
dles 1,000 

Value manufactured . . . $16,000 

Persons employed 40 

Capital invested $10,000 

Tobacco— Manufactured . . $1,000 
Persons employed 3 

Hals,fyc. — Value manufac- 
tured $13,350 

Value straw bonnets. . . $1,000 

Persons employed 32 

Capital invested $7,000 

Leather — Tanneries 31 

Sides of sole leather 

tanned 10,448 

Sides of upper leather 

tanned 22,340 

Men employed 143 

Capital invested $88,200 

Other manufac. leather 29 

Value manufactured . . . $98,800 
Capital invested $19,400 

Soap and Candles— Pounds 

of soap 19,700 

Tallow candles, lbs 34,640 

Men employed 5 

Capital invested $3,000 

Distilled and Fermented Li- 
quors — Distilleries 9 

Gallons produced 313 ; 344 

Breweries & 



Gallons produced 64,000 

Men employed 31 

Capital invested $37,500 

Medicinal Drugs, Pai7its,& ) -c $ 1,500 

Paper — Manufactory, 1 ; 

value made $10,000 

Printing, fyc. — Offices... 4 

Binderies . 1 

Weekly papers 5 

Men employed 28 

Capital invested $15,300 

Cordage — Rope walk, 1 ; 

value made $8,000 

Men emploved 5 

Carriages, i-c— Value m'de [$44,400 

Men employed 76 

Capital invested $20,150 

Mills — Flouring mills 8 

Barrels of flour made.. 11,900 

Gristmills 34 

Saw mills 109 

Oil Mills 4 

Value of manufactures $299,514 

Men employed 177 

Capital invested $194,200 

Furniture — Value made.. $24,250 

Men em ployed 42 

Capital invested $9,340 

Houses — Built of wood 

year previous 147 

Brick and stone houses 23 

Men employed 318 

Value of buildings .... $223,790 

All other manufactures not 

enumerated $74,493 

Capital invested $22,358 

Total manufacturing cap- 
ital $721,249 



The census of 1845 gave many details, for which the former 
ones afford no means of comparison, viz: 

Natives of New York, 50,582 



New England, 
" " Other States, . . . 
« " Gr. Britain and 
provinces,. . . . 

" " France, 

" " Germany, 

Natives of other European 

Counties, 

Children, between 5and 16, 18,619 
" attend. Com. Sch. 15,659 
" " Priv. " 623 

" " Academ.. 73 

" " Colleges,. 14 



7,528 
557 

4,209 
424 
425 

99 



Baptist Churches, .... 19 

Episcopal " .... 6 

Presbyterian " .... 16 

Congregational " .... 9 

Methodist " 24 

Catholic " .... 5 

Dutch Reform. " 3 

Unitarian " .... 2 

Jewish " .... 1 

Quakers " 2 

Academies, 1 

Common Schools, 357 

Cost of Comm. Schools, $74,92770 
" " other improvern., $3,041-J0 



Statistics. 



361 



Pupils, 15 7G1 

Average attendance, 9,386 

Private Schools, 26 

" Pupils, 620 

Mechanics, 2,369 

Attorneys, 48 

Physicians, ]02 

Clergy, 106 



Salary, $28,040-30 

Merchants, 200 

Manufacturers, 253 

Fanners, 11,002 

Inns, 118 

YVholesale stores, 3 

Retail stores, 161 

Groceries, 57 



Barley, , 

Peas, 

Beans, 

Buck Wheat, 
Turnips, 



ACRES. BUSHELS. 



11,007 

10,079 

660 

2,882 

159 



159,872 

153.374 

6,974 

42,128 

18,538 



I ACRES. BUSHELS. 



Wheat (harv.j, 32,949 

Corn, 17,432 

Rve, 9,989 

Oats, ! 26,462 

Potatoes, l 8.628 



421.819 

467,230 

55,457 

709,232 

1,235,139 



Flax, 1,1 C6 acres.— 208.545 pounds. 

Cows milked, 41,300. Pounds of Butter, 3,080,767. Pounds of Cheese 
2,802,314. 



The census of 1850 not hav 
ble to give more than the follow 

Total population 68,J53 

Males 34,748 

Females 33,223 

182 
60,281 
7,872 
572 
773 
$12 



Colored (m. 90, f. 92), 

United States born... 

Foreign born 

Deaths year prev. June 1 
Marriages " " " 
Averages per month . . . 
Persons over 20 who 

can not read 

Do. foreigners 



1.5/7 

899 



ing been published, we are una- 
ing statistics: 

Dwelling houses 11,926 

Families 12,235 

Farms 5,500 

Manufacturing capital, $1,443,002 
Raw material used .... $ 1 ,452,345 

Value of product $2,657,983 

Males employed 2,094 

Females " 391 

Number of churches.. . 89 
Number of children at- 
tending schools 18,605 

Acres of improved land 418,540 



Of the place of nativity of our citizens, the census of 1850 
gives the following: 



New York 53,199 

Maine 88 

New Hampshire 816 

Vermont 2,055 

Massachusetts . . 1,877 
Rhode Island... 338 
Connecticut.... 1,369 
New Jersey .... 169 
Pennsylvania . . . 163 

Delaware 8 

Maryland 14 

Dist. Columbia.. 8 



Virginia 

North Carolina. 
South Carolina. 

Georgia 

Louisiana 

Ohio 

Michigan 

Illinois 

Other states. . . 

Kngland 

Ireland ...;... 
Scotland 



11 

1 

1 

1 

3 

60 

42 

27 

31 

1,047 

2,546 

284 



Wales 55 

Germany.. 585 

France 401 

Holland 2 

Italy 6 

Switzerland .... 65 

Pruhsia l 

British America 2,830 

West Indies. .. . 1 

Other countries. 17 

Unknown 52 



The following list of revolutionary pensioners, and their wid- 
ows, living in the county, in 1840, will be read with interest. 



362 Revolutionary Pensioners. 

From some inadvertence, Watertown and Champion do not 
occur on the official list from which we copy. The ages and 
place of residence of each are given: 

Adams — Peter Doxtater, 88; Lucy Thompson, 73; Cynthia 
"White, 77; John Merriam, S4; Abel Bassett, 80 ; Danforth 
Doty, 85. 

Alexandria — George Rappole, 89; William Carter, 83; Dan- 
iel Whorry, 75; Edith Patten, 80; Ephraim Hogert, 84; Peter 
Lutz, 76; Abram Newman, 81. 

Antwerp — Lydia Turner, 76; Noah French, 86; Martha 
Clark, 76; Josiah Drake, 78. 

Brownville — John Baxter, 88; Walter W T ilson, 85; Selah 
Burton, 79; David Rimiston, 93; John P. Beecher, 78. 

Clayton — Solomon Ingalls, 90; Hosea Randolph, 72; Lydia 
Dixon, 85; Amos Richards, 82; James Bothell, 82; Mary Da- 
vis, 73; Abraham Joy, 78; James Rankin, 83; Thomas Fet- 
terly, 76. 

Ellisburgh — Solomon Tracey, 8]; Jonathan Fish, 83; Stephen 
Lindsley, 81; Mrs. Deuse, 80; Bryant Eddy, 79; Jonathan 
Matteson, 78; Rufus Richardson, 79; Abel Porter, 80; Samuel 
Hubbard, 79; James Gault, 83; Simeon Russell, 84; Samuel 
Mixer, 82; Levi Smith, 85; Abiezar Philips, 81; Thomas 
Worden, 82; Simeon Russell, 89; Ebenezer Wallace, 79; Ste- 
phen Hicks, 85; Henry H. Fall, 90. 

Henderson — John Pettingell, 73; Ebenezer Sawyer, 86; 
Abijah Stickney, 82; John Carter, 78: John Morris, 81; Ste- 
phen Hawkins, 82. 

Houndsjield — Jared Olcott, 81; Charles Ripley, 76; Sumner 
Adams, 65; Solomon Livermore, 78; Anna Dorchester, 79; 
Elias Taylor, 72; Thomas Cole, 72; Julius Terrey, 64; Ebene- 
zer Philips, 80. 

Le Ray — Timothy Tamblin, 83; Joel Dodge, 79; Hiel 
Truesden, 78; Ezekiel Lyman, SO; William Rogers, 83; Han- 
nah Harwick, 81; Elizabeth Ainsted, 74; Elisha Scofield, — . 

Lorraine — Jacob Weaver, 83; Benjamin Fletcher, 80; Caleb 
Tift, 81. 

Lyme — Samuel J. Mills, 81; Jacob H. Oves, 83; Nicholas 
Smith, 85; Prudence Hodges, 73; Lucretia Marsh, 84; Felix 
Powell, 77. 

Orleans — Joseph Rhodes, 78; Adolphus Picket, 79; William 
Colins, 80; John Monk, 89; Moses Limon, 78; Elizabeth Rix- 
ford, 75; Nicholas Smith, 85; Elizabeth Barret, 80; Caleb 
Willis, 78; M. Contreman, 70. 

Pamelia — J. Gloyd, 85. 

Philadelphia — Editha Taylor, 84; James Hewitt, 77; Jona- 
than Carr, 83; Isaac Hurd, 79. 



Post Routes. 363 

Rodman — Ephraim Wright, 73; John Russell; Elijah Mcin- 
tosh, 78. 

Rutland — Mary Barney, 74; Samuel Dunham, 88. 

Wilna — Peter Brown, 88; Stephen Shew, 79; Josiah Hurl- 
bert, 79; Solomon Cleaveland, 86. 

Very few of the above persons are now living, and the last 
will soon have disappeared from among us. 

Post Routes in the County, and Dates of Formation, by Acts of 

Congress. 

April 21, 1S06. From Harrisbure-h, through Williamstown 
(De Kalb), Ogdensburgh, Potsdam, Chateaugay, to Plattsburgh. 
From Rome, through Redfield, Adams, by Smith's Mills, to 
Sackets Harbor, and from thence to Chemangh? 

April 28, 1810. From Utica, by Whitestown, Rome, Cam- 
den, Adams, and Sackets Harbor, to Brownville. From Utica, 
by Trenton, Steuben, Leyden, Turin, Lowville, Harrisburgh, Ox 
Bow, De Kalb, Canton, Ogdensburgh, Lisbon, Hamilton (Wad- 
dington), Madrid, Potsdam, Chesterfield (Lawrence), Malone and 
Chetango (Chateaugay), to Plattsburgh. From Harrisburgh, by 
Champion, Watertown, and Brownville, to Port Putnam. 

April 30, 1816. From Williamstown, by Richland, Ellis- 
burgh, and Henderson, to Sackets Harbor. From Brownville to 
Cape Vincent. 

April 20, 1818. From Denmark, by Le Raysville, to Wilna. 

March 3, 1821. From Turin, by Harrisburgh, Copenhagen, 
Tylerville, Pinckney, and Rodman, to Adams. From Water- 
town, by Le Raysville, to Antwerp. 

May 8, 1822. From Champion to Alexandria, by Felt's 
Mills, Le Raysville, Evans' Mills, Theresa and Plessis. 

March 3, 1825. From Watertown, by Adams and Manns- 
ville, to Sandy Creek, and from thence, by Richland, &c, to 
Syracuse. 

March 2, 1827. From Ellisburgh, by Smithville, to Sackets 
Harbor. 

May 24, 1828. From Watertown, by Evans' Mills, Phila- 
delphia, Antwerp, Gouverneur, De Kalb, and Heuville, to Og- 
densburgh. 

June 15, 1832. From Watertown, by Brownville, La Farge- 
ville, to Cornelia, at the mouth of French Creek; thence, by De- 
pauville, to Brownville. From Heuville, by De Peyster, to Ox 
Bow. 

July 2, 1836. From Watertown, by Burrville, to Rodman. 
From Carthage, through Great Bend, Le Raysville, Felt's Mills, 
Lockport, and Huntington's Mills, to Watertown. From The- 
resa, by the Glass Works and South Hammond, to Hammond. 
24 



364 Post Offices. 

July 7, 1838. From New Haven, by Port Ontario and Lind- 
seyville, to Ellisburgh. 

August 31, 1842. From North Adams, through Field's Set- 
tlement, to Watertown. 

March 3, 1S45. From Wilna, by Natural Bridge, to Diana. 

March 3, 1847. From Antwerp, by Shingle Creek, Fowler, 
Fullerville, Edwards, and Russell, to Canton. 

August 14, 1848. From Copenhagen, by Boynton's Corners, 
Worthville, and Jacksonville, to Lorraine. From La Farge- 
ville, by Shantyville, Parker Settlement, Theresa, Ox Bow, and 
Wegatchie, to Gouverneur. 

September 27, 1850. From Pierrepont Manor to Sackets 
Harbor, by rail road. From Adams Centre to Sackets Harbor, 
on the direct road. From Natural Bridge to Diana. From 
Evans' Mills to Ox Bow. From Lowville, by Harrisburgh and 
Pinckney, to Rodman. 

March 3, 1851. From Great Bend, by Evans' Mills, to French 
Creek (Clayton). 

Post Offices. — The following is a list of the post offices now 
existing in the several towns in Jefferson County: 

Adams. Adams, Adams Centre, Appling, North Adams, 
Smithville (on line of Henderson). 

Alexandria. Alexandria, Alexandria Centre, Plessis, Redwood. 

Antwerp. Antwerp, Bentley's Corners, Ox Bow. 

Brownville. Brownville, Dexter, Limerick, Perch River, 
Pillar Point. 

Cape Vincent. Cape Vincent, Millen's Bay, Saint Lawrence. 

Champion. Champion, Great Bend, Champion South Road. 

Clayton. Clayton (formerly Cornelia), Depauville. 

Ellisburgh. Belleville, Ellisburgh, Mannsville, Pierrepont 
Manor, Rural Hill, Woodville. 

Henderson. Henderson (formerly Naples), Robert's Corners. 

Houndsfield. E. Houndsfield, Sackets Harbor, Sto well's Corners. 

Le Ray. Evans' Mills, Le Raysville, Sandford's Corners. 

Lorraine. Lorraine. 

Lyme. Chaumont, Point Peninsula, Three Mile Bay. 

Orleans. La Fargeville, Omar, Orleans Four Corners, Stone 
Mills. 

Pamelia. Pamelia Four Corners. 

Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Pogeland, Sterlingville, Whit- 
ney's Corners. 

Rodman. East Rodman, Rodman. 

Rutland. Black River, Felt's Mills, Rutland, South Rutland. 

Theresa. Military Road, Theresa, West Theresa. 

Watertown. Burr's Mills, Watertown. 

Wilna. Carthage, Natural Bridge, North Wilna, Wilna. 

Worth. Worthville. 



List of Public Officers. 



365 



CHAPTER VII. 



LIST OF PUBLIC OFFICERS. 

Congressional Districts. — By an act of March 20, 1804, Her- 
kimer, Oneida and St. Lawrence were made the 15th. The act 
of erection made Jefferson and Lewis a part of this, and April 
8, 1808, Herkimer, Lewis, Jefferson and Si. Lawrence were 
made the 10th. On the 10th of June, 1812, Lewis, Jefferson 
and St. Lawrence were made the 18th; April 17, 1822, Oswego, 
Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence, the 20th, entitled to two 
members; June 29, 1832, Jefferson ihe 18th; September 6, 
1842, Jefferson the 19th; and July 10, 1851, Jefferson and 
Lewis the 23d. 

Members of Congress, with the years when they were elected. 



1806— William Kirk Patrick. 

1808— John Nicholson. 

1810— Silas Stow. 

1812-14— Moss Kent. 

1816— David A. Ogden. 

1818— William D. Ford. 

1820— Micah Sterling. 

1822— Ela Collins. 

Nicoll Fosdick, 
Egbert Ten Eyck. 
Silas Wright, 
Rudolph Bunner. 



1824 

1826 



1828 
1830 



Joseph Hawkins, 

George Fisher. 

Daniel Wardwell, 

Charles Dayan. 
1832-4— Daniel Wardwell. 
1836 — Isaac H. Bronson. 
1838-40— Thomas C. Chittenden. 
1842-4— Orville Hnngerford. 
1846- Joseph Mull in. 
1848— Charles E. Clarke. 
1850— Willard Ives. 
1852— Caleb Lyon. 



The candidates who were run against these in the several 
years, and not elected, were: 1806, John Nicholson; 1808, 
Moss Kent; 1810, Simon Ford; 1812, Perley Keyes; 1814, 
Samuel Whittlesey; 1816, Ela Collins; 1818, Horatio Orvis; 
1820, Perley Keyes; 1822, Egbert Ten Eyck; 1824, Daniel 
Hugunin, Jr., Horace Allen; 1826, Elisha Camp, Nicoll Fos- 
dick; 1828, Silas Wright, Perley Keyes; 1830, Chester Buck, 
George Fisher; 1832, Daniel Lee; 1834, Jesse Smith; 1836, 
Elisha Camp; 1838, Isaac H. Bronson; 1840, AlpheusS. Green; 
1842, Eldridge G. Merrick; 1844, John Bradley; 1846, Orville 
Hungerford; 1848, Willard Ives; 1850, Charles E. Clark, 
Jesse C. Dann; 1852, Pearson Mundy. 

Assembly Districts. — By an act of March 31st, 1802, Oneida 
and St. Lawrence were allowed four members in Assembly. On 
the 1st of April, 1808, Jefferson was allowed two, and on the 
12th of April, 1822 three, which has since been the number. 



366 Ida of Public Officers. 

Assemblymen. — In 1805, Joseph Jennings, George Brayton, and Joseph 
Kirklaud, from Oneida county, when divided. 



1806, Henry Coffeen. 

1807, Moss Kent. 

1808, Lewis Graves. 

1809, Corlis Hinds, D. I. Andrus. 
1810-1, Moss Kent, E. Bronson. 

1812, D. I. Andrus, John Durkee. 

1813, E. Ten Eyck, Clark Allen. 

1814, E. Bronson, Clark Allen. 



1815, E. Bronson, M. Hopkins, 

1816, Amos Stebbins, Abel Cole. 

1817, A. Stebbins, Eben. Wood. 

1818, Abel Cole, Horatio Orvis. 

1819, Geo. Brown, Jr., J. Cowles. 

1820, H. Steele, C. McKnight. 

1821, Amos Stebbins, R. Goodale. 

1822, G. Andrus, J. B. Esselstyn. 



1823-5, Richard Goodale, George White, John B. Esselstyn. 
1826-8, David W. Bucklin, Daniel Wardwell, Alpheus S. Greene. 

1829, Jerre Carrier, Titus Ives, Fleury Keith. 

1830, Aaron Brown, Curtis G. Brooks, Charles Orvis. 

1831, Walter Cole, Fleury Keith, Joseph C. Budd. 

1832, William H. Angel, Philip Maxwell, Nathan Strong. 

1833, Jotham Ives, John Burch, William H. Angel. 

1834, William H. Angel, Eli West, Calvin McKnight. 

1835, Charles Strong, Eli Farwell, Calvin Clark. 

1836, Lowrey Barney, Otis P. Starkey, Richard Hulbert. 

1837, Jotham Bigelow, Richard Hulbert, John W. Tamblin. 

1838, Daniel Wardwell, Richard Hulbert, John W. Tamblin. 

1839, Calvin Clark, Charles E. Clarke, Philip Gage. 

1840, Calvin Clark, Charles E. Clarke, Stephen Johnson. 

1841, William C. Pierrepont, Joseph Webb, William McAllaster. 

1842, Elihu McNeil, Elihu C. Church, John W. Tamblin. 

1843, Elihu C. Church, Joseph Graves, Job Lamson. 

1844, Samuel Bond, William Carlisle, Eli West. 

1845, Edward S. Salisbury, Azel W. Danfoi th, Lysander H. Brown. 
1S46, Levi Miller, Henderson Howk, Elihu M. McNeil. 

1847, John Boyden, John D. Davidson, Samuel J. Davis. 

Jefferson County, under the new constitution, was divided into 
three assembly districts as follows: 

The First District, comprises, Watertown, Henderson, 
Adams, Ellisburgh, Lorraine, Rodman, Houndsfield, and Worth. 

The Second District, comprises, Rutland, Champion, Wilna, 
Philadelphia, Antwerp, Le Ray, Theresa, and Alexandria. 

The Third District, comprises, Brownville, Lyme, Cape Vin- 
cent, Clayton, Pamelia, and Orleans. The members have since 
been: 

1848, 1st, Benjamin Maxson, 2d, Harvey D. Parker, 3d Fleury Keith. 

1849, 1st, George Gates, 2d, John L. Marsh, 3d, Bernard Bagley. 

1850, 1st, John Winslow, 2d, Joel Haworth, 3d, Alfred Fox. 

1851, 1st, William A. Gilbert, 2d John Pool, Jr., 3d, Lorin Bushnell. 
1852, 1st, William A. Gilbert, 2d, Merril Colburn, 3d William Rouse. 
1853, 1st, James Gifford, 2d, Dewitt C. West, 3d, Charles Smith. 
1854, 1st, Calvin Littlefield, 2d, Jesse E. Wiliis,* 3d, William Dewey. 
Delegates to the convention of 1821. — Egbert Ten Eyck, and 

Horace Steele. To the convention of 1846. — Alpheus S. 
Greene, Azel Danforth, and Elihu M. McNeil. 

* The county canvassers awarded the election to Alden Adams, on account 
of a clerical error in the returns from Antwerp. The question will be settled 
by the legislature. 



List of Public Officers. 367 

Jefferson County formed a part of the 5th Senatorial District, 
under the late constitution, and candidates were elected on a 
general ticket. It now forms, with Lewis, the 21st district, from 
which the following senators have been elected: 

1848, John W. Tamblin; 1850, Alanson Skinner (Caleb 
Lyon to fill vacancy); 1852, Ashley Davenport ; 1854, Robert 
Lansing. 

County Clerks. — By annual appointment of governor and 
council, before 1821, since which time they have been elected 
trienniaily. 

Henry Coffeen, April 3d, 1805; Egbert Ten Eyck, March 
5th, 1807; Benjamin Skinner, February 2d, 1811; Richard M. 
Esselstyn, February 28th, 1813; B. Skinner, February 16th, 
1815; George Andrus, June 3d, 1820; Henry H. Sherwood, 
March 5th, 1821, who was elected and held the office one term, 
under the late constitution; Peleg Burchard, 1828 (4 terms); 
Daniel Lee, 1840; Charles B. Hoard, 1843; James G. Lynde, 
1846; Isaac Munson, 1849; John L. Marsh, 1852. 

Sheriff's. — By appointment before 1821, by election since. 
Abel Sherman, April 5th, 1805; Perley Keyes, March 15th, 
1808; David I. Andrus, March 16th, 1812; John Paddock, 
February 23d, 1813; David I. Andrus, February 16, 1815; 
Joseph Clark, February 26th, 1818; Amasa Trowbridge, March 
6th, 1819; Jason Fairbanks, February 12th, 1821, and elected 
under the late constitution one term; Henry H. Coffeen, 1825; 
John Fay, 1828; Heman Millard, 1831; Chauncey Baker, 1834; 
Abner Baker, 1837; Albert P. Bray ton, 1840; Herman Strong, 
1843; Walter Collins, 1846; Rufus Herrick, 1849; John R. 
Rouse, 1852. 

Surrogates. — By appointment previous to 1847, by election 
since. Benjamin Skinner, April 13th, 1805; John M. Canfield, 
March 15th, 1811; Elisha Camp, February 28th, 1813; David 
Perry, June 27th, 1815; Lyman Munson, April 2d, 1816; Ben- 
jamin Wright, February 26th, 1820; L. Munson, February 13th, 
1821; B. Wright, March 27th, 1827; John Clarke, February 
28th, 1840; Nathaniel B. Ward well, February 28th, 1844, who 
held till his death, February 15th, 1847, when John Clarke was 
appointed; Lysander H. Brown, June, 1847 (elected); James 
R. A. Perkins, November, 1851. 

Local officer to discharge the duties of Surrogate. — George 
W. Hungerford, 1849, Isaac Van Vleck 1851. The seal of the 
surrogate of the county consists of the w T ords "Jefferson County 
Surrogate Seal" in a circle, around the words " The End," in 
the centre. 

County Treasurers. — By appointment of supervisors, till the 
adoption of the present constitution, since which time they have 



368 List of Public Officers. 

been elected by the people. Benjamin Skinner, October 1, 1805; 
Joseph Clark, October 7, 1807; William Smith, October 20, 1813; 
Marianus W. Gilbert, October 17, 1823; Jason Fairbanks, 
November 20, 1828; Thomas Baker, November 15, 1838; Adriel 
Ely, November 1840; John Sigourney, November 1842; Wil- 
liam H. Robinson, November 1843; Silas Clark, November 
1846. 
William Smith, elected 1848; Silas Clark, do. 1851. 
Circuit Judges, under the late constitution, appointed by the 
governor and senate. 5th district: Nathan Williams, April 21, 
1823; Hiram Denio, May 6, 1834; PhiloGridley, July 16, 1838; 
S. Beardsley, was appointed in 1834, and J. H. Bronson, in 1838, 
but neither served. 

First Judges, Augustus Sacket, February 26, 1807; Moss 
Kent, February 26, 1810; Abel Cole, February 26, 1818; 
Egbert Ten Eyck, November 14, 1820; Calvin McKnight, Jan- 
uary 29, 1829: Thomas C. Chittenden, February 28, 1840; Cal- 
vin Skinner, January 25, 1845; Robert Lansing (elected) June 
1847; William C. Thompson (elected) November 1851. 

Judges. Under the first constitution, the following persons 
held this office with the year of their^r^ appointment: 

1805, Joshua Bealls, Perley Keyes; 1806, Isaac Conklin, 
Augustus Sacket; 1800, Joseph Clark, Lyman Ellis, Thomas 
White; 1811, John Durkee; 1812, Eliphalet Edmonds; 1813, 
Ethel Bronson, John Brown, Joel Doolittle, Noadiah Hubbard, 
Jabez Foster, Clark Allen; 1814, Jesse Hopkins; 1815, Abel 
Cole; 1818, William Robinson, Arnasa Trowbridge, Elijah Fields, 
Jr., Aaron Palmer, Calvin McKnight; 1820, Hart Massey, Sam- 
uel C. Kennedy; 1821, Hiram Steel, Richard Goodale, Joseph 
Hawkins; 1823, Egbert Ten Eyck, Zeno Allen, Alpheus S. 
Greene. 

Under the late constitution: 1823, Egbert Ten Eyck, Eli- 
phalet Edmonds, Joseph Hawkins, Zeno Allen, Alpheus S. 
Green; 1824, Daniel Wardwell; 1829, Benjamin Wright, Zeno 
Allen, John Macomber, George Brown; 1834, the same; 1S40, 
Hiram Carpenter, E. Ten Eyck, M. K. Stowe, E. G. Merrick; 
1841, John Thurman, Hiram Dewey; 1843, G. C. Sherman; 
1845, Jason Clark; 1846, Thomas Wait, Joseph Boyer. 

Assistant Justices, under the first constitution: 1S05, Thomas 
W 7 hite, Win. Hunter, Lyman Ellis, Ethni Evans; 1807, Asa 
Brayton, Corlis Hinds; 1811, Abel Cole, Wm. Huntingdon, 
James Henderson, Jr.; 1813, Jesse Hopkins, Jonathan Davis, 
Wolcott Hubbel, George White; 1814, Wm. Baker; 1815, Con- 
verse Johnson, James Shurtliif, Seth Peck, Asa Smi'h, Elijah 
Fields, Jr., Amasa Trowbridge, Melvin Moffatt, Daniel Sterling; 
1818, Henry H. Sherwood, John S. Porter, John Macomber, 
Thomas Brayton. 



List of Public Officers. 369 

Justices of Sessions, elected under the present constitution: 
1847, Samuel Boyden; 1849-50, Geo. Brown; 1850, Dexter 
Wilder, A. S. Babcock; 1851, Dexter Wilder, Medad Cook, 
Henry Lord; 1853, Geo. A. Gates, Eleazer W. Lewis. 

Insolvent Commissioner: Samuel Whittlesey, April 8, 1811. 

Commissioners to 'perform duties of judge of Supreme Court: 

1817, Wm. D. Ford; 1821, David W. Bucklin. 

Local officer to discharge the duties of judge : 1849-52, Thomas 
P. Saunders. 

District Attorneys. By an act of March 11, 1808, Jefferson, 
Lewis and St. Lawrence, were to have one district attorney. In 
1818 Jefferson was to have one. 1808, S. Whittlesev; 1810, 
Amos Benedict; 1811, S. Whittlesey; 1813-14, A. Benedict ; 
1815, Ela Collins; 1818, D. W. Bucklin; 1820, Horatio Shum- 
way ; 1821, D. W. Bucklin. Under the late constitution, this officer 
was appointed by the court. The succession has been, D. W. 
Bucklin, Robert Lansing, Geo. C. Sherman, Wm. D. Ford, D. N. 
Burnham, Joseph Mullin, Robert Lansing. Elected under the 
present constitution: 1847, Joshua Moore, Jr. ; 1851, James F. 
Starbuck; 1853, Delano C. Calvin. By a resolution of the board 
of supervisors, passed November, 1852, the salary of this officer 
is fixed at $800. 

Coroners, with date of first appointment : 1804, Eleazer House, 
of Turin; this territory extended over this county; 1805, Am- 
brose Pease, Hart Massey, Fairchild Hubbard; 1808, Orimel 
Brewster; 1809, Benjamin Pool, Jr.; 1810, Nathaniel Haven; 

1811, Jason Fairbanks, William Waring, Andrew S. Bond; 

1812, Simeon Forbes; 1813, Elijah Fox, Henry Martin, Seth 
Bailey, Ezra Stearns; 1814, Daniel Leonard; 1815, Elijah Shel- 
don, Nathan Burnham; 1816, James Perry; 1817, Hiram Steele; 

1818, Seth Otis, John B. Esselstyn, James Shields, Joseph Kel- 
logg, John Cowles, Nathan Brown, Abijah Jenkins; 1820, Wil- 
liam Merrills; 1821, Suel Wilson, Luther Gilson, Gideon S. 
Sacket, Eseck Lewis, Jacob C. Greene, Sylvester Smith, John 
Chamberlain, Eleazer A. Scott, Pardon Smith; 1822, Alfred 
M. Ackley. 

Under the late and present constitution, coroners have been 
elected, but we have not been able to procure the names of those 
between 1822 and 1828. 

Azariah Walton, Alfred M. Ackley, William Wood, Abijah 
Jenkins, in 1828; A. Jenkins, Archibald Fisher, James McKen- 
zie, Elijah Fields, in 1831; Luther G. Hoyt, E. Fields, Mahlon 
P. Jackson, in 1834; Truman S. Angel, E. Fields, Jotham Bige- 
low, Ebenezer Sabin, in 1837; Henry D. Caldwell (did not 
qualify), Asahel Smith, Liberty Comins, Samuel W. Vincent, 
James G. Lynde, in 1841; Arba Strong, Jedediah McCumber, 



370 List of Public Officers. 

Pearson Mundy, in 1843; Samuel W. Gilbert, in 1844; Samuel 
J. Davis, in 1845; James White, Thomas Benjamin, Jacob 
Cramer, John W. Fuller, in 1846; Andrew Cornwell, in 1847; 
Abraham Schuyler, Thomas Benjamin, Horace P. Mitchell, in 
1849; Jesse Davis, in 1850; A. Schuyler, Aaron Eddy, Patrick 
Keon, in 1852; Lyman E. Hungerford, in 1853. 

Loan Commissioners. — 1808, Gershom Tuttle, Amos Stebbins; 
1810, Henry H. Sherwood, in place of Stebbins; 1818, Daniel 
Eames, in place of Tuttle; 1822, Seth Otis, in place of Eames; 
1829, Curtis G. Brooks, in place of Sherwood; 1835, Joseph 
Graves, in place of Brooks; 1839, Daniel Eames, in place of 
Otis; 1840, Albert P. Lewis, in place of Graves; 1843, Joel 
Woodworth, in place of Lewis; Martin L. Graves, in place of 
Eames. M. L. Graves and Joel Woodworth were commissioners 
when this fund was consolidated with the United States deposit 
fund in 1850. 

United States Deposit Fund. — The principal of this fund, 
deposited in Jefferson County, was $'130,779*06, and the com- 
missioners have been as follows: 

April 28, 1837, Jason Marsh, John Macomber; February 28, 
1840, Edward B. Hawes, in place of Marsh; January 12, 1841, 
Oliver Child, in place of Macomber; April 4, 1843, Moses Brown, 
in place of Child; Rufus H. King, in place of Hawes; February 
29, 1848, Nathan Ingerson, in place of Brown; Wells Benton, 
in place of King; February 28, 1852, Philander Smith, in place 
of Benton; Solon Massey, in place of Ingerson. 

At the revision of the constitution in 1846, there were the 
following officers in the county, who were appointed by the go- 
vernor, viz: a first judge, four judges of county courts, a surrogate, 
four masters in chancery, three examiners in chancery, eleven 
notaries public, two supreme court commissioners, two commis- 
sioners of loans, two commissioners United States loan, two in- 
spectors of beef, one inspector of lumber. 

The several questions that have been submitted to the popular 
vote in the county, resulted as follows: 

For convention of 1821, 3,432 

For no convention, 119 

For the adoption of the constitution of 1821, 1,953 

Against the adoption of the constitution of 1821, 1,144 

1826. For election of justices of the peace, 4,702 

Against election of justices of the peace, 1 

1846. For the amended constitution, 6,603 

Against the amended constitution, 1,712 

For equal suffrage to colored persons, 2,791 

Against equal suffrage to colored persons, 4,536 



Relative Strength of Political Parties. 371 

1846,May. For license, - 4,012 

For no license, 5,644 

1849. For the free school law, _ _ 5,997 

Against the free school law, 3,312 

1850. For the repeal of the free school law, 6,064 

Against the repeal of the free school law, 3,959 

In May, 1846, Champion, Paraelia and Theresa voted for 
license, and the remainder of the county for no license. The 
majorities for license in the towns in which it was voted, amounted 
to 78; and in those that voted against, 1,700. In 1847, Hen- 
derson and Lorraine gave small majorities for no license, in 
Pamelia no vote was taken, and in all the other towns license 
was voted with aggregate majorities of 1512 over 81. 

To convey a knowledge of the relative strength of the po- 
litical parties since the county was settled, we select the vote 
for governor, as the one best calculated to represent that object, 
being less influenced by personal considerations than that for 
persons residing in the district. The elected candidate is given 
in Italics. 

1801, George Clinton, 56. Stephen Van Rensselaer, 56. 

1804, Morgan Lewis, in Oneida County, 2,165; Aaron Burr, 
1,782. The following are for Jefferson County. 

1807, Daniel D. Tompkins, 7 '65; Morgan Lewis, 615. 

1810, Daniel D. Tompkins, 1,076; John Broome, 1,077. 

1813, Daniel D. Tompkins, 733; Stephen Van Rensselaer, 795. 

1816, Daniel D. Tompkins, 908; Rufus King, 858. 

1817, Dewitt Clinton, 951; Peter B. Porter. 

1820, Demtt Clinton, 762; Daniel D. Tompkins, 795. 

1822, Dewitt Clinton (nearly unanimous); Solomon South- 
wick (the returns of this year could not be found). 

1824, Dewitt Clinton, 2,779; Samuel Young, 2,619. 

1826, Dewitt Clinton, 2,900; William B. Rochester, 2,902. 

1828, M. Van Buren, 3,32S; Smith Thompson, 1,763; S. 
Southwick, 2204. 

1830, Enos T. Throop, 3,705; Francis Granger, 3,054. 

1832, Wm. L. Marcy, 4,363; Francis Granger, 4,418. 

1834, Wm. L. Marcy, 4,558; Wm. H. Seward, 4,433. 

1836, Wm. L. Marcy, 4,543; Jesse Buel, 3,439; Isaac S. 
Smith, 135. 

1838, Wm. H. Seward, 4,0S2; Wm. L. Marcy, 4,946. 

1840, Wm. H. Seward, 6,196; W r m. C. Bouck, 5,737; Gerrit 
Smith, 59. 

1842, Wm. C. Bouck, 5,635; Luther Bradish, 4,774; Alvin 
Stewart, 292. 

1844, Silas Wright, 6,341; Millard Fillmore, 5,571; Alvin 
Stewart, 717. 



372 The Periodical Press. 

1846, John Young, 4,798; Silas Wright, 5,295; Henry 
Bradley, 748. 

1848, Hamilton Fish, 4,858; Reuben H. Walworth, 2,527; 
John A. Dix, 4,326; William Godell, 24. 

1850, Washington Hunt, 4,905; Horatio Seymour, 5,756. 

1852, Horatio Seymour, 6,496; Washington Hunt, 5,752. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE PERIODICAL PRESS. 

The Black River Gazette, was the pioneer paper, north of 
Utica. It began at Martinsburgh, March 10, 1807, under the 
patronage of Gen. Walter Martin, and was continued by James 
B. Robbins, a year. It was republican in politics. 

The American Eagle was begun at Watertown, by Henry 
Coffeen, Abram Taylor, printer, about 1809, also republican; but 
an acrostic, that was published inadvertently, brought ridicule 
upon the name, and it was soon changed. It was purchased in 
January, 1812, by Jairus Rich; its name was changed to the 
American Advocate, and by him it was issued several years. 

In 1817, Seth A. &Dorephus Abbey, owners of a job office, in 
Albany, concluded to start a paper, somewhere west. D. Abbey, 
and John H. Lord, Jr., a journeyman in the office (now of Oswego) 
accordingly, removed to Watertown. The press of Mr. Rich, being 
at the time of their arrival under a sheriff's levy, was bought, and 
soon after the Jefferson and Lewis Gazette appeared in the spring 
of 1817. It was of the royal size (20 by 26 inches), republican 
in politics, according to the light then had, and issued at two 
dollars per annum, until April, 1819, when it was stopped. Seth 
A. Abbey then commenced the Independent Republican, which 
was issued weekly, until February, 1825, when the house and 
office of the publisher were burned. It was, however, revived 
in May, 1828, as the Independent Republican and Antimasonic 
Recorder, of five columns, two dollars per annum, and continued 
till 1830. In June, 1830, S. A. & D. Abbey established the 
Oswego Palladium, in the name of Chauncey Abbey, a younger 
brother, which, in a few months, was sold to John H. Lord, Jr., 
and by him continued many years. 

Mr. Perly Keyes, the leader of the democracy in the county, 
procured the Watertown Freeman, to be started by W. Wood- 
ward, January 27, 1824. It was folio, five columns, the pages 



Newspapers. 373 

20 by 24 inches, and delivered for $2-50 by the carrier. A. 
L. Smith was afterwards editor, and during the campaign of 
1832 it supported Jackson. Early in October, 1833, the name 
was changed to the Democratic Standard. It continued to be 
published by Smith till July 29, 1835, when it was united with 
the Watertown Eagle, and became the Eagle and Standard. 
For spme time previous, although of the same politics, these two 
papers were hostile to each other, and the points on which they 
contended divided the democratic party in the county. 

Thursday's Post was commenced October 19, 1826, at Water- 
town, by Theron Parsons & Co., at $2-50 delivered by the carrier, 
and $2 by mail; five columns weekly; politics, Clintonian; sixty- 
six numbers were published, the last being January 17, 1828. 
The press was then sold to Henry L. Harvey, who, the next week 
(January 24,) commenced The Register, with the same terms, 
size, and politics. Mr. Harvey had commenced a paper, called 
The Genius of Philanthropy, previously, a temperance paper, 
weekly, folio, but of the quarto shape, which afterwards united 
with the Watertown Register, both names being retained. On 
the 1st of May, 1830, Benjamin Cory became a partner in the 
paper, and May 15, the name became The Watertown Register 
and General Advertiser. In May, 1831, Cory became sole propri- 
etor and publisher. In the fall of that year, from being neutral in 
politics, it adopted the creed of the party that sustained General 
Root for governor, and subsequently became the organ of the 
whig party in the county. September 19, the latter part of the 
name was dropped, and on the 25th of March, 1835, its name 
was changed to The North American, with John Haxton, editor, 
for the first six months. This was a paper of six columns to the 
page, folio; published at $2'50per annum to village subscribers. 
It was continued under this name till September, 1839, when its 
name was restored to the Watertown Register, under the direc- 
tion of H. S. Noble; the size, terms, and politics, remaining un- 
changed. Joel Greene was afterwards taken into the partnership, 
and he, subsequently, became the proprietor. There had been 
several changes of publishers. In March, 1842, the editor and 
publisher was William H. Hough. 

Mr. Greene continued the paper as the Black River Journal, 
from the spring of 1843 till August 1846, and by him it was 
considerably enlarged. Terms $2; circulation 1,600. In the 
spring of 1846, Mr. Greene commenced publishing the Daily 
Journal, which failed to meet the expectations of the publisher, 
who changed it to the Watertown Journal, a small tri-weekly 
folio, of four columns to the page, at $3 per annum. This tri- 
weekly, was continued until the press was sold, and the name 
changed to the following. It is said to have been well patron- 
ized. 



371 Newspapers. 

The Northern State Journal, by Ambrose W. Clark, was 
begun August 26, 1S46, and like its predecessors has been con- 
sidered the organ of the whig party in the county. In August 
1848, G. W. Smith, and H. S. Noble (the latter formerly en- 
gaged in the Watertown Register), became the publishers, under 
the firm of Smith & Noble. John Fayel, subsequently became 
a partner, and, September 18, Mr. Clark again became one of 
the publishers, since which time the paper has been conducted 
by Clark & Fayel. The terms have been reduced to $1-50 by 
mail, and $2 by the carrier. 

The Censor, an antimasonic paper, was commenced by The- 
ron Parsons, at Adams, July 1, 1828, and continued until Janu- 
ary 13, 1829, when it was removed to Watertown. It was a 
small weekly folio, five columns to the page, and published at 
$2*50 to village subscribers, or $2 by mail. To clubs of thirteen 
or more $1*50. It was published by Parsons at Watertown, from 
January 27, 1829, till June 8, 1830, when Enoch Ely Camp, 
was announced as the editor. He is said to have been more or 
less concerned in the paper from the beginning. The bitterness 
of party spirit was at the time excessive, and its enemies, hav- 
ing christened it The Cancer, its name was changed by Camp to 
the Antimasonic Sun. It was afterwards published thirty nine 
weeks by Dr. R. Goodale, commencing December 13, 1830, as 
The Constellation, and subsequently it passed into the hands of 
Abner Morton, now of Monroe, Michigan, who enlarged it to six 
columns, called it the Jefferson Reporter, and published from 
September 11, 1832, till January 21, 1834, when he removed 
west, taking his press. Elder Joel Greene, after selling the 
Journal, proposed to issue at Sackets Harbor and Kingston, a 
paper called the Northern Luminary, one number of which ap- 
peared. It was neutral in politics, and to be devoted to religion, 
temperance, agricultural matters, slavery, &c, but some disap- 
pointment in the editorial department prevented its continuance, 
and in January, 1847, he began the Watertown Spectator, a pa- 
per devoted to the license question, and temperance reform, six 
columns to the page, $2 by the carrier, or $1'50 by mail. At 
the end of the second year it was stopped, with the view of 
enlargement, when it was prevented by the great fire of 1849, 
which destroyed the form on the press. 

The New York Reformer, was commenced August 29, 1850, 
by Lotus Ingalls, A. H. Burdick, and L. M. Stowell, under the 
firm of Ingalls, Burdick & Co. Lotus Ingalls, and Solon Massey 
editors. Terms $1; weekly, six columns, neutral in politics, 
devoted to temperance reform and general intelligence. At the 
time of its beginning the Free School question was before the 
public, and it entered warmly into the support of that measure. 






Newspapers. 375 

In October,William Oland Bourne, of New York, became an asso- 
ciate editor, and at the end of the first year it was enlarged to seven 
columns. 

This paper was originally designed to be the organ of the 
Sons of Temperance, but was founded and has been sustained 
by individual enterprise. It is still continued with much success. 

The Watertown Eagle was commenced by J. Calhoun, Sep- 
tember 11th, 1832, folio, weekly, six columns to the page, at 
$2'50 per annum, delivered to village subscribers. Politics 
democratic. On the 28th of March, 1833, Alvin Hunt became 
an associate editor, and in August, the latter purchased the in- 
terest of Calhoun, and continued the paper till July, 29th, 1835, 
when, in pursuance of the recommendation of a committee of a 
republican convention, it was united with the Democratic Stand- 
ard, under the title of the Eagle and Standard, and edited by 
Alvin Hunt, and Asahel L. Smith, the former editors of these 
papers. The committee published an address to the republican 
party of the county, in the first number of the new series, in 
which they commended it to the support of the party. In Octo- 
ber, 1836, Mr. Smith withdrew from the concern. This paper 
on the 30th of November, 1837, was changed to the Jeffersonian, 
under which name or that of the Watertown Jeffersonian, it has 
continued without change of politics till the present time. On 
the 15th of December, 1851, Mr. Hunt became associated with 
John W. Tamblin, and March 15th, 1853, Mr. J. C. Hatch took 
the place of the latter, and in September Tamblin succeeded 
Hatch. The paper is now published by Hunt & Tamblin, at 
$1*50 per annum. 

The Daily Jeffersonian was begun at this office May 10th, 
1851, and continued two and a half years. 

There was published at this office by Mr. Hunt, during the 
campaign of 1840, a small sheet at 25 cents, edited by a com- 
mittee of young men, and devoted to the support of the demo- 
cratic party. It was called The Aurora. 

The Democratic Union, a democratic paper, was commenced 
August 29th, 1846; seven columns, folio, $1*50 per annum, pub- 
lished by Thomas Andrews and James H. Swindells, and edited 
by Lysander H. Brown. A prominent object at the time of its 
starting, was the defeat of the " no license question" which 
at that time divided the public. In the second number, 
Andrews became sole publisher. On the 15th of April, 1847, 
Stephen Martin became an associate publisher with Lysander 
H. Brown as the editor. On the 2d of September, John A. 
Haddock took the place of Martin as publisher, and in 
June, 1848, Mr. L. H. Brown withdrew from the paper, which 
was continued under the editorial charge of J. C. Hatch. The 



376 Newspapers. 

politics of the paper were changed at the same time, from the 
support of Cass to that of Van Buren, for the presidency. It 
subsequently passed into the hands of Charles A. Stevens, and 
John A. Haddock. In the great fire of May 14th, 1849, the 
office was destroyed, but in two weeks the paper was resumed. 
On the 12th of September, 1849, the paper was enlarged to 
eight columns, and on the 10th of April following reduced to its 
original size. On its enlargement, Haddock became its pub- 
lisher and proprietor, and on the 15th of October, 1851, Lysan- 
der H. Brown again became connected with the paper, and 
continued with Haddock until November, when he became sole 
publisher. Since January, 19th, 1853, it has been published by 
L. H. Brown and E. R. Pollard. 

Besides these, there have appeared the following, generally 
from the press of the regularly established papers of the county. 
The Herald of Salvation, a Universalist Magazine, by Rev. Pitt 
Morse, 1822-3, semi-monthly, 8 vo., $2'00 per annum. First year 
printed by S. A. Abbey, second by W. Woodward, first number 
November 30th, 1822. It was united with a magazine in Phila- 
delphia. The Monitor, a small folio, cap size, quarterly, be- 
ginning January 1st, 1830, and devoted to the record of the 
benevolent societies of the Presbyterian and Congregational 
churches. The Student, one year, monthly, beginning August 
1st, 1837, quarto form, four pages to a number, edited by the stu- 
dents of the B. R. L. & R. Institute, printed by B. Cory, and 
made up of original papers by the students. Price 50 cents. The 
Voice of Jefferson, summer and fall of 1828, Clintonian, small 
weekly folio, quarto form, four columns to the page, edited by a 
committee of young men, printed by Harvey & Hunt. Terras 
25 cents. The Veto, a small campaign paper, three columns, 
quarto form, anti-masonic, begun September, 1832; terms 1 
shilling. The Spirit of '76, edited by a committee of young 
men, printed by B. Cory, three months in 1834, small folio, 
four columns to the page, terms 25 cents. 

The Patriot and Democrat, a small folio, campaign paper, four 
columns to the page, was commenced October 20, 1838, and 
seven numbers were issued. It supported the democratic nomin- 
ations on the state ticket, Ezekiel Lewis, for congress, and C. 
Parsons, W. C. George and S. Robbins for assembly. Printed by 
Randall D. Rice, for a committee, at Watertown. When first 
issued designed to be permanent, and the terms were fixed at $2, 
per annum. The Pioneer Phalanx and Independent Magazine, 
8vo., in covers, pp. 24, 75 cents per annum. Edited by A. C. S. 
Bailey, and begun November, 1S43, monthly; and it is believed 
but one number was issued. It was to be organ of the Fourier 
association in Watertown. The Sinai and Calvary Reporter, 



Newspapers. 37 7 

quarterly, 8vo., Rev. Joseph A.Livingston; begun Oct. 1852; 
first number at Watertown, second number at Gouverneur. 

The first paper at Sackets Harbor was commenced by George 
Camp, March, 17, 1817, under the name of the Sackets Harbor 
Gazette. It was federal in politics, five columns to the page, at $2 
per annum. Its name was the second year changed to The Sackets 
Harbor Gazette and Advertiser. In February 1820, Matthew 
M. Cole became the editor, and February 9, 1821, he changed its 
name to the Jefferson Republican, under which name it was 
continued a year or more. In the spring of 1824, Truman W. Has- 
call, commenced the Freeman's Advocate, of the same size, terms 
and politics, which was discontinued in December, 1828. The 
Courier, and the Sackets Harbor Courier, and one or two other 
papers, whose names could not be procured, were afterwards 
published by J. Howe. The Courier, in the canvass of 1832, 
supported West and Granger. The Jefferson County Whig 
was begun at Sackets Harbor, September 7, 1837, by Edward 
H. Purdy, and the Sackets Harbor Journal, by E. M. Luff, pub- 
lisher, D. M. Burnham, editor, was commenced in its place, 10th 
October, 1838. Mr. Luff conducted the paper, C. Woodward 
being the printer, from April 17, 1839, till the spring of 1S41. 
The Harrisonian, a small campaign paper, was published by Luff, 
in the summer and fall of 1840. The press was at this time and for 
several years previous, owned by a company of citizens of the 
village. Joel Greene, in the spring of 184 1, succeeded as publisher, 
and soon enlarged it to imperial size and procured new type. At 
the end of the second year he disposed of his interest to Calvin 
Green, who in the same year discontinued it. 

In the spring of 1843, Joel Greene bought of Herman S. No- 
ble the Watertown Register, and having previously opened an 
office for the publication of the Black River Journal, commenced 
the publication of the latter at Sackets Harbor and Watertown, 
the printing being done at Watertown, to which place the press 
had been removed. This paper was of the present size of our 
village papers (28 by 36 inches), terms two dollars per annum, 
weekly, and in politics whig. In 1846, the establishment was 
sold to A. W. Clark, who began publishing the JYorthern State 
Journal, as above stated. There was no paper published at the 
Harbor, from this time till the 20th of March, 1848, when the 
Sackets Harbor Observer was commenced by 0. H. Harris. This 
was whig in politics,* seven columns; terms $1'50 and was con- 
tinued four years without change, when the name was altered to 
The Jefferson Farmer, a neutral paper, under which it is still 
published. J. D. Huntington was employed to publish this pa- 
per the second year, Mr. Harris continuing the editor. 

The Jefferson County Democrat was begun by J. C. Hatch, 



378 History of Academies. 

at Adams, June 27th, 1844, and published by him three years, 
when E. J. Clark succeeded as publisher, and has since continued. 
In 1848, it supported Van Buren, and is democratic in politics. 
Terms $1-50; six columns to the page. 

The Theresa Chronicle was published at Theresa six months 
and two weeks, commencing January 14, 1848. Edited by E. 
C. Burt; terms $1*50; weekly; seven columns to the page; demo- 
cratic in politics. The last two numbers were of half the original 
size. The press was subsequently removed to Madrid, St. Law- 
rence county, and is now used at Canton in publishing the Canton 
Independent. 

The Carthagenian, a weekly whig paper, devoted to the 
advocacy of the Black River Canal, was began December 19, 
1839, by David Johnson, who, on the 18th of June, 1840, was 
succeeded as editor by William H. Hough. It had six columns to 
the page, and was issued at $2-50 by the carrier, or $2 by mail. 
The press was principally owned by Hiram Mc Collom. In 
April, 1S43, the name was changed to the Black River Times, 
W. H. Hough, editor, terms $1 per annum, which was continued 
for sometime. January 1, 1847; Myron F. Willson commenced 
a semi-monthly neutral paper, styled The People's Press; in the 
third number, W. H. Colston became associate editor, and in 
September, L. Jones. It was of brief continuance. In 1849, 
the press was removed to Governeur, and used in printing The 
Northern New Yorker, and it was afterwards taken to Potsdam, 
where it now is. 



CHAPTEE IX. 

HISTORY OF ACADEMIES. 

The earliest movement towards the establishment of a public 
seminary in the county, was made in 1810. In that year a sub- 
scription was drawn up, $2,500 signed, a lot bought of 
Judge Keyes, for the site of an academy, on the ground now 
occupied by the First Presbyterian Church, in Watertown, and a 
plain two story brick building, about 32 by 40, erected thereon 
for academical purposes. The war which soon occurred, defeat- 
ed this movement, and the building was taken and occupied by 
the United States government as a hospital during that period, 



History of Academies. 379 

the sum of $400 being allowed to Mr. Keyes for its use. A 
large debt having accrued, it was appraised at about $1000, sold 
on a mortgage, and bought by the trustees of the First Presbyte- 
rian Church, who erected on the lot, a little in front of the former 
building, the stone church which has recently been replaced 
by the present elegant church on Washington street. 

On the 2d of May, 1835, the Watertown Academy was incor- 
porated, by which Micah Sterling, Henry D. Sewall, Thomas 
Eaker, Reuben Goodale, OrvilleHungerford, Alpheus S. Greene, 
Egbert Ten Eyck, Justin Butterfield, William Smith, Jason 
Fairbanks, Joseph Goodale, Loveland Paddock, Joseph Kimble, 
George S. Boardman, and John Safford, and their successors, 
were incorporated as trustees of an academy, with power to hold 
real estate not exceeding an annual income of $6000, and pos- 
sessing the usual corporate powers of similar bodies. This 
academy was never received under the visitation of the Regents. 
A large stone building was erected in a grove, a little south 
of the village, which was first opened for the reception of stu- 
dents, September 19th, 1832. Micah Sterling, Egbert Ten 
Eyck, Orville Hungerford, Jason Fairbanks, Loveland Paddock, 
Norris M. Woodrutf, and Henry D. Sewall, each subscribed ten 
shares; nine others took five each; one, took four shares; five, 
three shares; nineteen, two shares; and twenty-six, one share 
each. 

In their first circular, the trustees said: " It has too long been 
a subject of reproach to our community, that, while other interests 
were flourishing, the interests of education were neglected. 
Among us there has been no seminary for the education of boys, 
above the ordinary district school, and the consequence has been, 
that parents have sent their children abroad, at a very heavy 
expense, or brought them up in comparative ignorance at home. 
But this reproach, so far, at least, as regards a provision for the 
means for acquiring knowledge, is about to be done away. An 
elegant and commodious building has been erected and prepared, 
and measures, we trust, will soon be taken, to furnish a suitable 
philosophical apparatus. * * The building stands in a 

pleasant grove near the village and yet retired from its bustle, on 
elevated ground, commanding an agreeable prospect. The sub- 
scribers are happy to announce that Mr. La Rue P. Thompson 
has been induced to take charge of this institution as principal, 
and well qualified assistance will be employed as soon as the 
number of students offering shall render it expedient." 

Mr. Thompson was succeeded by Samuel Belding, and the 
latter by Joseph Mullin. 

In 1836, a joint effort was made by the Watertown Presbytery 
and the Black River Association, towards the establishment of a 
25 



380 History of Academies. 

literary institution, which while it should avoid a sectarian dis- 
cipline, would be surrounded by a salutary religious and moral 
influence. At the meeting of the Presbytery held at Brownville, 
February 8, 1836, the following resolution was unanimously 
passed after discussion: 

"Resolved, That a committee of five, consisting of three min- 
isters and two elders, be appointed to confer with a committee 
from the Black River Association, on the expediency of estab- 
lishing a religious and literary school, in this region, and to re- 
port to this body, as soon as may be convenient." The Rev. 
Messrs. Smith, Hoyt, and E. H. Snowden, and Messrs. Camp, and 
Grenell, were appointed this committee. 

A special meeting was convened, at the Second Church in 
Watertown, March 21st, to consider the subject of establishing 
a seminary, and a joint committee of the two bodies agreed 
upon a report, which was adopted, and was as follows: 

"Your committee were instructed to bring 1 in a report, to the two 
ecclesiastical bodies, on the expediency of establishing a literary and re- 
ligious institution for the education of the young, to suggest their views 
as to the plan of its location, the character of the school, the mode of 
commencing it, and the outlines of its constitution. These several con- 
siderations have been before your committee, and the following has been 
the result of their deliberations. 

At every step of our investigation, we have had an increased convic- 
tion of the importance of organizing an institution for the education of 
our children, of a decided religious character. We need a school in which 
the authenticity and inspiration of the Bible shall be taught; in which 
the truths and duties of the Christian religion shall be inculcated, and in 
which the moral virtues may be cultivated in such a way as to form a 
dignified character, guarded against the errors and vices of the world, 
in which our children shall have all the security thrown around them 
that they can enjoy under the pious and parental roof. 

Your committee feel, that the churches have too long slept over this 
subject, many of us have often committed our sons and daughters to the 
instruction of those who have not aided, but retarded us in redeeming 
our pledge which we gave in consecrating them to God. We wish our 
children trained in the Christian religion, in the doctrines and duties of 
the gospel ; we therefore deem it expedient, that an institution be erected, 
calculated to secure the foregoing objects. Your committee are unani- 
mously of the opinion, that the people of the counties of Jefferson and 
Lewis, and a part of Upper Canada, are the population whose conveni- 
ence is principally to be consulted in the location of the institution. 
We deem it inexpedient to put up the location at auction. The enter- 
prise we consider too sacred, and aside from the alienation of feeling 
which might result from competition, and those complaints which might 
embarrass the fellowship and cooperation of its friends, we think that it 
ought to be located in the most convenient and acceptable place. Your 
committee, therefore, unanimously advise, that its location be in or near 
the village of Watertown." 

Jason Clark, Esq., and Rev. G. S. Boardman were appointed 
to procure an act of incorporation. Jason Clark, of Plessis, J. 



History of Academies. 381 

H. Whipple, of Adams, and E. Camp, of Sackets Harbor, were 
appointed to select a site. Application was accordingly made, 
which procured the passage of an act (May 25, 1836) for the 
incorporation of the Black River Literary and Religious In- 
stitute. Its first trustees were, Marcus Smith, James H. Mon- 
roe, Eli Farwell, Jason Clark, George S. Boardman, Hart Massey, 
Rowell Kinney, Crafts P. Kimball, Elisha Camp, Lewis A. 
Wicks, Henry Jones, George W. Knowlton, Ebenezer H. Snow- 
den, John Covert, E. M. Adams, Elisha P. Cook, David Spear, 
Charles B. Pond, Artemas Crittenden, John A. Cathcart, David 
Granger, Abel L. Crandall, Roswell Pettibone, and William 
Chittenden. 

These trustees were authorized to establish a seminary of 
learning in Watertown, whose annual income should not exceed 
$4000, and who were to elect the faculty, and supply vacancies 
in their board. On the 4th of June, the trustees met, and adopt- 
ed a constitution which provides among other rules, that the 
board of trustees shall consist of six clergymen, and six laymen, 
of each denomination in charge of the institution, and in supply- 
ing vacancies, the rule was to be observed, that a person of the 
same class and sect, should be elected, and that the Presbytery, 
or the Association, as the case might be, should have the sole 
right of nominating the candidate. The faculty was to consist 
of a principal, vice principal, preceptors, and as many assistant 
teachers as the board might deem necessary, and a board of visitors 
was to be appointed annually, to attend all examinations, to hear, 
adjudge and determine all appeals from the decisions of the 
faculty, to advise, and to administer the formula of confession of 
faith, and the pledge of religious fidelity to the faculty. A male 
and a female department were instituted, to be kept in separate 
buildings, at a convenient distance from each other, and under 
the government of the same principal. This article did not pre- 
vent attendance at recitations and public lectures together under 
the direction of the teachers. Persons subscribing $50 might 
elect one pupil, for a term of ten years, and in the same propor- 
tion for a larger sum. The seal adopted by the trustees was the 
letter I, in a circle. 

The following persons were elected the first faculty, Rev. James 
R. Boyd, principal, Rev. John Covert, vice principal, Mrs. Covert, 
preceptress. The Rev. Messrs. Marcus Smith, and S. F. Snow- 
den, of the Presbytery, and N. Dutton, and J. H. Monroe, of the 
Association, were appointed the first visitors. The lot still oc- 
cupied by the institution, on the corner of State and Mechanic 
streets was purchased for $4,500, a wooden building 2S by 56 
feet, for students, and other improvements were erected, and in the 
spring of 1837, was commenced the erection of a building of 



382 History of Academies. 

stone and brick, 40 by 75 feet, two stories high, besides the 
basement, at a cost of $6,500. The corner stone of this edifice 
was laid with religious ceremonies on the 5th of June, 183S, in 
the presence of a large audience, among whom was Governor 
Marcy. After prayer by the Rev. 1. Brayton, addresses were 
delivered by the Rev. George S. Boardman, and Marcus Smith. 
Among the articles deposited under the corner stone, were copies 
of the village papers, by-laws, map, assessment roll of 1832, 
catalogues, and reports; a history of the institution, list of trus- 
tees, teachers and donors, &c. 

The inauguration of the faculty occurred on the 13th of Sep- 
tember, 1836; it was received under the visitation of the Regents, 
on the 30th of January, 183S, and has since shared in the distri- 
bution of the literature fund. Many of the holders of stock in 
the old stone academy, assigned their interest to the new institu- 
tion, and on the last of November, 1838, 120 shares had been thus 
transferred, which was afterwards increased to 176 shares. On the 
19th of February, 1841, an act was passed, in accordance with the 
request of the trustees, dissolving the corporation of the Watertown 
Academy. In February, 1841, Mr. Covert was dismissed at his 
own request, that he might engage in a new institution in Colum- 
bus, O., and John C. Sterling was elected in his place. In July 
1841, Rev. Calvin Yale was employed as a teacher. Mr. Archi- 
bald Whitford, who had been employed as a teacher of mathe- 
matics from the beginning of the institution, continued to fill 
that station with eminent success until December, 1844. He 
was afterwards employed as a collecting agent. 

A special meeting of the trustees was called, February 23d, 
1846, at which was voted an application for a change of name, 
which was granted by the legislature on the 12th of May follow- 
ing, when it was changed to the Jefferson County Institute. 

At the annual meeting, July 23d, 1846, a resolution of the 
Black River Association was concurred in, in which the by-laws 
were so far amended as to require the principal only to be a 
minister or member of the Congregational or Presbyterian 
church, in good standing, but that the other teachers be selected 
without this restriction by a committee of the trustees appointed 
by the board for that purpose, of which the principal shall 
always be a member. In January, 1847, a portion of the real 
estate previously occupied as a boarding house was sold to liqui- 
date the debts of the institution. These premises were the same 
now occupied by the State Street Methodist Church. 

Mr. Boyd, who had filled the office of principal of the insti- 
tution from the beginning, resigned June 29, 1848, with the 
design of again engaging in the ministry. 

Mr. D. M. Linsley was next employed, and continued the 



t-'\l 'II ■ ..I ill'li JP'hJII 




Union Literary Society, Belleville. 



385 



principal until the spring of 1853, when the Rev. Alvan Par- 
inelee was employed. The present faculty consists of the Rev. 
A. Pafmelee, principal; Rev. James H. Carruth, teacher of 
■natural sciences; David L. Parmelee, teacher of languages and 
elocution; Avery S. Walker, teacher of mathematics and libra- 
rian; George D. Mann, teacher of instrumental music; Miss A. 
E. Parmelee, preceptress and teacher of English literature; 
Miss H. M. Searle, teacher of French, drawing and painting; 
Miss L. M. Hastings, teacher of primary department; Amasa 
Trowbridge, M. D., lecturer on anatomy and physiology. 

A recent catalogue gives the names of 264 male, and 258 
female pupils attending during the year ending December, 1853. 
This institution was never more flourishing than at present. It 
is one of the academies selected for instruction of teachers for 
district schools. The official returns of the trustees to the Re- 
gents of the University give the following statistics: 



Years. 

1837... 
1S38... 
1839... 
1840... 
1841... 
1842... 
1843... 
1844... 



Literature 


Tuition. ' 


Students 








$159-35 


$2,S00 


155* 


365*96 


3,106 


320* 


466'22 


3,576 


225* 


557-02 


3,5S0 


225* 


306-41 


3,393 


228* 


260-00 


3,406 


160* 


233-32 


2,879 


126* 


230-52 


2,644 


403 



Years. 

1845 

1846 

1S47 

1848 

1849 

1850.... 
1851.... 
1852.... 



Total, 



Literature 
money. 



$253-35 
165-74 
204-15 
265-90 
266-44 
323-80 
339-60 
452-71 



4,850 49 



Tuition 



$2,325 
1,701 
1,686 
1,570 
1,656 
2,239 
1,S05 
2,818 



41,184 



304 
204 
233 
182 
307 
382 
353 
387 



The Union Literary Society, at Belleville, inEllisburgh, was 
originated by the efforts of the Rev. Joshua Bradley, a Baptist 
clergyman, who, about 1824,f began to labor to interest the pub- 
lic in the cause of education, and drew up a plan upon the 
manual labor system, which, he represented, would combine all 
the advantages that an academy could bestow, and afford a re- 
venue from its earnings to sufficiently remunerate the stockhold- 
e s. With this expectation, stock was subscribed, a lot given by 
Giles Hall, and on the 13th of April, 1826, an act of incorpo- 
ration was obtained, by which, Jotham Bigelow, Orin Howard, 
James W. Kennedy, John Hagedorn, Amos Heald, Peter N. 
Cushman, W T esson Thomas, Pardon Earl, Samuel S. Haws, Ed- 

• The number of students attending at date of report. 

tThe records of this academy, previous to 1840, were lost from the gross 
carelessness 'of the clerk, which prevents that precision of dates from leing 
attained which might be desired. 



386 Union Literary Society, Belleville. 

ward Boomer, Sidney Houghton, Benjamin Barney, Samuel 
Boyden, Ebenezer Webster, Israel Kellogg, Jr., Jesse Hubbard, 
Hiram Taylor, Henry Green, Rufus Hatch, Charles B. Pond, 
Calvin Clark, John Barney, 1st, Samuel Pierce, and Godfrey W. 
Barney, were constituted, with such as might associate with them, 
a body corporate, to have perpetual succession, and limited in 
their powers to the support of an academic school; the yearly 
income of their estate might not exceed $5,000. The number 
of their trustees from 24 to 30, to be elected annually, or until 
others are chosen. Elections to be held on the first Wednesday 
of November, and the payment of five dollars entitled to one 
vote. 

Some disappointment was felt, from there not being inserted 
a provision for dividends from avails of the land, rents of rooms, 
and otherwise, as was anticipated; but though there was no 
chance of profits, they still felt a lively interest for the welfare 
of the school, and put forth their best energies to sustain it, for 
the benefit of the place, and of the pupils who attended. 

While preparations for building were pending, a school was 
commenced by Mr. H. H. Haff, under the direction of Mr. Bradley, 
which was taught for a time in a private house at Mather's Mills, 
one mile above Belleville, and afterwards in the Baptist church. 
The location of the institution having been settled with some 
difficulty, from the struggle of rival interests, the erection was 
commenced in 1829, and on the first of January, 1830, the pre- 
sent academic building was dedicated. On the 5th of the same 
month, it was received under the visitation of the Regents, upon 
the application of the trustees, and Benjamin Durfee, Nahum 
Houghton, James McCumber, Henry Shaver, Jesse Brewster, 
Matthew Green, Thomas Clark, Amos Pratt, Daniel W 7 ait, Cul- 
ver Clark, Jotham Littlefield, Wadsworth Mayhew, and Charles 
Avery, who had contributed to its erection. 

Charles Avery, now a professor in Hamilton College, was ap- 
pointed principal, and for a time the academy flourished to a 
degree that justified the highest expectation of its friends, and 
attracted great numbers of students from distant parts of the 
county. Mr. Isaac Slater served as assistant the first year, and 
W T illiam D. Waterman the second, at the end of which Mr. Avery 
was succeeded by Mr. La Rue Thompson, who staid two years, 
and was followed by George W. Eaton, who remained a year. 
Joseph Mullin and H. H. Barney were next employed; the first, 
for one, the other for two years, when the school was for 
some time closed. In 1837, Mr. T. C. Hill was employed a 
year, when the building was closed by the mortgagee. Efforts 
were then made throughout the town to free the institution from 
debt, and in this the Rev. J. Burchard took an especial interest, 
and these efforts were attended with success. 



iii1|l|li!ll!ll!Miif""W' , Jin<<*T* 



'■f-Llt.l 



__^^>^^1 







-co 



Kl 






'■ • ' 



388 



Orleans Academy. 



The Rev. G. J. King was next employed as principal, and at 
the end of a year, he associated with Richard Ellis as joint prin- 
cipal, and in a few months was succeeded by the latter. He filled 
that station about three years. Orsemus Cole, R. Ellis, Calvin 
Littlefield, Geo. Ramsay, John P. Houghton, and J. Dunbar 
Houghton, have since been employed; the latter having been for 
the last two years the principal. This institution is in a highly 
flourishing condition, and enjoys to a great degree the merited 
confidence of the public. 

Early in 1831, a petition was made for a tax upon the county, 
in aid of the institution, which procured a favorable report,* and 
a bill for that purpose, but which failed to become a law. 

The library of the Savortian Society, connected with this 
academy, was formed under the general act, April 12, 1833, 
with Edward Kellogg, Thomas J. Field, CM. Elbridge, Roswell 
Barber, 0. S. Harmon, Wm. T. Searles, L. H. Brown, and Allen 
Nims, trustees, which was continued till 1848. There is belonging 
to the academy, a small library, and a fine collection of apparatus, 
for illustrating the physical sciences. The building was designed 
to embrace a steward's department, which is not now maintained, 
and contains, besides recitation and schoolrooms, about a dozen 
apartments for students. 

The money received from the literature fund, and tuition, and 
the number of students for each year, are shown in the following 
table, derived from the official reports of the trusteesto the 
Regents of the University: 





Literature 




No. of 




Literature 




No. of 


Years. 


Money. 


Tuition. 


stud'ts- 


Years. 


Money. 


Tuition. 


stud'ts. 


1829.... 


$189-00 


$1,370-00 




1843. . 


$255-02 


$570-00 


53t 


1830 


132-24 


769-96 


30t 


1844... 


136-44 


350-00 


110 


1831.... 


166-46 


920-00 


52t 


1845... 


161-78 


266-00 


86 


1832 


101-10 


393-63 


35 1 


1846... 


151-45 


326-00 


95 


1833.... 


45-69 


450-00 


26t 


1847... 


229-31 


530-00 


118 


1834.... 


83-85 


500-00 


50t 


1848.. . 


249-95 


675-00 


138 


1835.... 


70-80 


460-00 


53t 


1849... 


205.89 


447 • 00 


97 


1836 


70-00 


400-00 


30t 


1850... 


169-72 


180-00 


89 


1837 


42-40 


425-00 


30 \ 


1851... 


196-40 


253-00 


120 


1841 


297-82 
307-50 


1,000-00 
750-00 


82f 
60t 


1852... 
Total . . 


164-28 
37427-10 


703-00 


188 


1842.... 


11,738-59 





The Orleans Academy, first began to be discussed, in August 
1850, on the 12th of which month a meeting was convened at 
the Baptist Church, in La Fargeville, several plans were proposed, 
and a room was temporarily fitted up for a school, Mr. Burton 



* Assembly Documents, 1831, vol. 3, No. 263. 
t Numbers of students attending at date of report. 



Brownville Female Seminary. 389 

B. Townsend, being the first teacher. In the summer of 1851, a 
wooden building, 40 by 70, and two stories high, was commenced 
and partly finished, when, on the 16th of July 1851, it was blown 
down in a gale, but rebuilt the same season. It stands on a lot 
of one acre adjoining the Congregational Church. Its cost hi s 
been about $2,500, and the subscription is in shares of $10 each. 

An application to the Regents was made, January 27, 1852, 
and on the 5th of February, a charter was granted, allowing the 
school to share in the literature fund, upon freeing itself from 
debt, and acquiring an estate of not less than $2,500. The trus- 
tees first named were Lewis T. Ford, Loren Bushnell, John N. 
Rottiers, Elisha Sawyer, John Tallman, Hiram Dewey, Brainard 
Everett, John Foot, Hiram Mitchell, Eldridge G. Merrick, Lu- 
ther Lamson, Edgar W. Beedle, Daniel Richardson, David J. 
Dewey, Hiram P. Dillenback, John Hill, Henry Erwin, Russel 
B. Biddlecom, Nathan Elmer, Ashley Tanner, James Green, 
Rufus Smith, Parley Brown, and David Joy. The trustees have 
not hitherto reported, or become entitled to a share of the litera- 
ture fund. The subscriptions due the coming year, with another 
effort that will be made, are hoped to free it from debt. It has 
the nucleus of a library and apparatus, and the schools taught 
here have averaged about 40 pupils. It is at present under the 
charge of the Rev. E. Sawyer. 

The Brownville Female Seminary was formed in pursuance 
of articles dated October 15, 1849, by which subscriptions, in 
shares of $'50, were to be taken for the purpose of raising a capi- 
tal of $3,000, for the above object. This has since been doubled. 
There were, at first, about twenty-four holders of stock, but 
these have since been reduced to half that number. The principal 
share holders at present (July, 1853) are William Lord, 12; 
G. Lord, 10; J. Bradley, 10; the Kirby family, 10; J. E. Brown, 
4; and a few others. 

On the 28th November, 1849, it was chartered by the Regents, 
but it has never reported, nor shared in the literature fund of the 
state. The first preceptress was Miss Mary F. Bloomfield, who 
was succeeded by Miss H. M. Foster, and it is now under the 
charge of Rev. George B. Eastman. The seminary was opened 
May 1, 1850. It embraces both a boarding and day school. 



390 Societies and Associations. 

CHAPTER X. 

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. 

Religions. — Many of the older churches in the county were 
formed by missionaries, sent out by the New England societies. 
Among the more early of these was the Rev. James W. Wood- 
ward, who, in 1802, spent four months in these settlements. In 
his report, he acknowledged $1, collected in Adams, fifty 
cents in Watertown, $3*47 1 in Rutland, $T50 in Champion, 
and twenty-live cents in Brownville. Nathaniel Dutton, John 
Taylor, and R. Phelps, from the Hampshire society, and Ira 
Hart and Lathrop Thompson, from Connecticut; E. Lazelle, 
David R. Dixon, Oliver Leavitt, David Spear, Oliver Alger, 
Bennet Taylor, and others, were among the early missionaries of 
the county. 

Watertown Presbytery. — The Synod of Albany, at Utica, 
October 3, 1816, formed the Presbytery of St. Lawrence, from 
that of Oneida, the Rev. Messrs. James Murdock, Isaac Clinton, 
Samuel F. Snowden, Jeduthan Higby, and David Banks, with 
the congregations at Martinsburgh and Ogdensburgh, comprised 
the new body, which embraced Lewis, Jefferson, and the most of 
St Lawrence counties. The first meeting was held at Martins- 
burgh, October 31, 1816. In January, 1S22, the Ogdensburgh 
Presbytery was set off, including the county of St. Lawrence, and 
the first meeting being directed to be held at DeKalb. At the 
February session, 1822, at Champion, the following resolution 
was passed: 

" That it be recommended to each member of the Presbytery, 
to use his influence in the society where he belongs, that certain 
fields be set apart and sown or planted with some valuable crop, 
and cultivated in the best manner, and that the avails of said 
field, together with the free-will offerings or donations from 
mechanics or merchants, be appropriated to the missionary, Bible 
and educational funds, equally, or to one of them only, as the 
donor shall desire, and that the said avails be transmitted to the 
deposit at Watertown, or any other place which may hereafter 
be appointed." 

In September, 1824, the subject of establishing a Domestic 
Missionary Society, and a Sabbath School Union, came up for 
action, but both these were postponed. The Presbytery subse- 
quently resolved itself into a Benevolent Association, and recom- 
mended the formation of auxiliaries in the several churches. In 
1830, the name was changed to the Watertown Presbytery. 



Religious Associations. 391 

The Presbyterian church in Kingston for many years belonged 
to this presbytery. At the February meeting of 3834, it with- 
drew. 

A compendium drawn up by order of the Presbytery in 1828, 
gives the following facts in relation to religious revivals in that 
church, with the numbers added. 1815, Lowville, 1st and 2d 
church united, 25 added; 1817, Rutland, 30; 1818, Sackets 
Harbor, 15; 1819, Adams,65; 1820, Sackets Harbor, 70; 1821, 
Watertown, 93; 1822, Rutland, 20, Adams, 62, Brownville, 20; 
1823, Sackets Harbor, 25, mostly from the army, and families of 
officers; 1824, Lowville, 1st 95, 2d 16, Martinsburgh, 23, 
Leyden, 1st, 42, Ellisburgh, 20, Denmark, 1st and 2d united, 30, 
Cape Vincent, 30, Antwerp, 35, Le Ray, 30, Orleans, 15; 1826, 
Adams, 25; 1827, Watertown, 29, Smithville, 25; total added 
to Presbyterian churches, 840. The above years were noted for 
religious excitements, and great numbers united with other 
churches. The authority above quoted attributes much of this 
to the meeting of the Albany Synod at Brownville in 1820. In 
the revivals of 1824, the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, was particu- 
larly active at Ellisburgh and Cape Vincent, and Charles G. Fin- 
ney, at Antwerp, Le Ray, Brownville, &c. Both have since 
acquired a very unusual degree of celebrity as Evangelists. 

In the summer of 1831, there occurred another series of re- 
ligious revivals throughout the country, and "protracted meet- 
ings' 1 were held in nearly every village. Great numbers professed 
conversion, and all the evangelical churches received accessions. 
These proceedings were strongly discountenanced by a portion 
of the citizens, and led to a convention at the court house, July 
2, 1831, at which addresses deprecating these excitements were 
made, and resolutions were published expressing their senti- 
ments on this subject. In these, a conscientious approval of 
pure religion was avowed, but the popular excitements of the 
day were denounced as whirlwinds of moral desolation. 

The Black River Association (Congregational) was formed 
on the first Tuesday of September, 1S07, at Lowville, by dele- 
gates from churches at East and West Leyden, Turin, Lowville, 
Denmark, Champion, Rutland, Watertown, Rodman, Adams and 
Lorraine. About 1851, the name was changed to Consociation. 
After diligent enquiries, we have failed to obtain further statis- 
tics of this body. 

Methodist Episcopal Societies. — The Black River Conference 
at present embraces about a dozen counties, of which Jefferson 
is one, and this territory has successively formed a part of the 
New York, Genesee, and Oneida conferences. As it now exists 
it was formed in 1836. This conference was incorporated April 
17, 1841. George Gary, John Dempster, Nathaniel Salisbury, 
Gardner Baker, William S. Bowdish, Isaac Stone, and Lewis 



392 Religious Associations. 






Whitcomb being named the first trustees. It may hold real 
estate not exceeding $20,000, and possess a clear yearly income 
not exceeding $'10,000, from real and personal property. 

Districts. — The county has been a part of Albany, Cayuga, 
Oneida, and Black River districts, and at present is comprised 
in the Adams, Watertovvn, and Ogdensburgh districts, which 
were formed as follows: Black River, 1820; Gouverneur, 1839; 
Watertown, 1840 (embracing the county); Adams, 1844; Og- 
densburgh, 1852. The presiding elders of these have been: 
Black River District, 1820, R. M. Everts; 1824, Daniel Barns; 
1826, Goodwin Stoddard; 1827, Nathaniel Salisbury; 1832, 
Josiah Keyes; 1833, J. Dempsier; 1836, G. Baker. Gouvern- 
eur District, 1839, W. S. Bowdish. Watertown District, lb40, 
N. Salisbury; 1842, Lewis Whitcomb; 1844, N. Salisbury; 
1845, L. Whitcomb; 1849, G. Baker. Mams District, 1844, 
Lewis Whitcomb; 1845, N. Salisbury; 1847, J. Stone; 1848, 
George C. Woodruff; 1850, George Gary; 1853, J. Phelps. 
Ogdensburgh District, 1852, H. Shepard. 

Until 1815, the entire county, with extensive territory besides, 
formed but one circuit, and was supplied by one or two preach- 
ers, who, in the performance of their duties, were required to 
make long and tedious journeys through the scattered settlements. 
There was formed in 1804 the Black River Circuit. The 
preachers appointed were: 1804, Griffin Sw r eet, AsaCummings; 
1805, G. Sweet, Seymour Ensign; 1806, Matthew Van Duzen, 
William Vredenburgh, 1807; Datus Ensign, 1808; MathewVan 
Duzen, Luther Bishop; 1809, L. Bishop; William Jewett; 1810, 
Joseph Willis, Chandley Lambert; 1811, W 7 illiam Snow, Truman 
Gillet; 1812, Joseph Kinkead; 18 13, Isaac Puffer, Goodwin Stod- 
dard; 1814, C. Lambert; 1815, Ira Fairbanks, Jason Hazen. 
In 1815 Sandy Creek Circuit, embracing a part of the county, 
was formed, and James Bowen appointed. Circuits have since 
been established, as follows. Those marked (f ) have been super- 
ceded. 



1818, Watertown. f 

1821, Indian River.f 

182<5, Le Ray and Watertown.f 

1827, Cape Vincent. 

1829, Le Ray and Carthage.f 

1829, Brownville and S. Harbor.f 

1829, Adams. 

1832, Theresa. 

1833, Antwerp. 

lr:5i, Pulaski and Mannsville.f 

1836, Carthage. 

1836, Mannsville. 

1836, Rodman. 

1839, Natural Bridge. 

1839, Evans' Mills. 



1840, Dexter and Pillar Point.f 

1810, Philadelphia. 

1842, Pillar Point. 

1842, Bellville. 

1842, Henderson. 

1842, Ellisburgli. 

184G, Three Mile Bay. 

1847, Smithville. 

1848, Pamelia Corners. 

1848, Depauville. 

1849, Watertown, Arsenal street. 

1849, Watertown, State street. 

1850, Champion. 

1851, La Fargeville. 



Religious Societies. 393 

The date of formation of Alexandria, Black River, Brown- 
ville, Clayton, and Sackets Harbor circuits, were not procured. 

The Black River Baptist Association was formed in 1808 of 
the following churches and number of members, the elders of 
each being given in Italics. 

Adams 45, Timothy Heath; Brownville 47, Timothy Pool; 
Champion 25; Denmark 29, Peleg Card; Henderson 42, Emory 
Osgood; Lorraine 32, Amos Lampson; Rutland 2, churches of 
52 and 34 members; Turin 65, Stephen Parsons. In 1802, 
Baptist missionaries had begun to labor in this section, among 
whom Peter P. Root and Stephen Parsons were prominent. In 
1810, the missionary limits of this body were defined, as north 
of Black River to include Le Ray, and the new settlements in 
St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie, and south to include Mexico on 
the Salmon River, and the new settlements contiguous thereto. 
Solomon Johnson, Emory Osgood, and Martin E. Cook, were to 
spend the ensuing year, 5 weeks each, and Amos Lamson 6 
weeks. In 1816, an association of 84 ladies in Henderson, 
styled The United Female Society in Henderson, formed for 
the purpose of promoting foreign missions, memorialized the 
association and forwarded $'S8'74 to aid in this purpose. This 
example was followed by others, and in 1817 reports were re- 
ceived from the Henderson and Ellisburgh Missionary Society, 
the Female Mission Society in Lorraine, the Female Mite 
Society in Rutland, the Female Society in Brownville, the 
Baptist Female Society in Rodman, and the Female Mite 
Society in Ellisburgh, who, with the churches, contributed 
$243'79 for missions. In the same year the Black River 
Baptist Missionary Society was formed. In 1818, several 
auxiliaries to this were organized, which had but a short duration. 
In 1818-9, Elder Solomon Johnson was employed several 
months in missionary labors in St. Lawrence and Franklin 
counties. The missionary society, up to 1844, had received 
$7,S37, of which more than $2000 had been applied to foreign 
missions, and the balance spent in this and neighboring counties. 
The Jefferson Union Association existed 4 years, and in 1838 
went down. From 1815 to IS 19, 516 had been added to the 
churches, and in 1821, 373 more. In 1825, four or five hundred, 
and in 1831—4, more than 1,500. It was during ; his period that 
Elder Jacob Knapp first began preaching as an evangelist, and 
in this county commenced that series of protracted meetings 
with the Baptist churches, that has since rendered his name cele- 
brated. The excitements raised by his labors were here generally 
transient, and followed by a reaction. By the report of 1853, 
there were 26 churches in Jefferson, 7 in Lewis, and 1 in 
Oneida, belonging to this association. The year previous 37 



39f 



Religious Associations. 



had been baptized, 11 received by letter, 6 restored, 115 dis- 
missed, 34 excluded, 42 died. Present number, 2,927. Churches 
in this county exist at Adams (Davis' Corners), Adams Centre, 
Adams Village, 2 in Alexandria, Antwerp, Steele's Corners, 
Belleville, Carthage, Clayton, Depauville, Great Bend, Hender- 
son, La Fargeville, Lorraine, Le Ray, Lyme, Mannsville, Perch 
River, Philadelphia, Rodman, Smithville, Tylerville, Woodville, 
Watertown, and North Wilna. 

On the 28th of January, 1820, Martin E. Cook, Sardis Little, 
Emery Osgood and others were incorporated as the Black River 
Baptist Missionary Society. The first meeting was to be held 
at the brick school house, near Elisha Morgan's, in Rutland. 

The Free Communion Baptist Black River Yearly Meeting, 
was organized and adopted a constitution in September, 1830, 
although meetings had been held previously. The limits of this 
body were defined as bounded west by the Genesee River, south 
by the Mohawk, and east by the East Canada Creek, embracing 
the country north of Utica within these limits. In 1831, this 
body reported churches in Alexandria, Lyme, and Orleans, where 
societies had mostly been formed by settlers from Russia, New 
York, where the sect was by far the most numerous. Subsequent 
minutes report societies at Houndsfield, Clayton, and Philadel- 
phia. This body has since been merged in the Freewill Baptist 
Church. 

The Black River Branch Association of Universalists, was 
formed in pursuance of a resolution of the Western Association of 
June, 1823, and in accordance with a request made at a con- 
vention of members from the societies of Watertown, Rutland, 
Brownville, Henderson, Ellisburgh, and Richland, assembled at 
Watertown, January 8, 1823. It at first included St. Lawrence Co., 
but by a resolution of 1829, its limits were defined as embracing 
Lewis, Jefferson, and Oswego counties. On the formation of the 
New York State Convention of Universalists, in 1825, the name of 
this was changed to the Black River Association, whose annual 
meetings are held on the third Wednesday, and Thursday of June. 
It at present has societies in Brownville, Carthage, Champion, 
Dexter, Ellisburgh, Henderson, Lyme, Pamelia, Rutland, and 
Watertown. Sunday Schools were first established by this sect 
at Watertown, in 1830, and now exist at Dexter, Ellisburgh, 
Henderson, and W T atertown. 

The Le Ray Monthly .Meeting of Friends, was formed in 1816, 
and consists of the Le Ray (formerly Pleasant Creek) and Indian 
River (Philadelphia); Preparative Meetings with Lowville, and 
Lee, it forms the Le Ray Quarterly Meeting, which belongs to 
the New York Yearly Meeting. In 1828, the doctrines of Elias 
Hicks, divided the Friends here as elsewhere, but the latter have 



Religious Associations. 395 

for some time discontinued meetings. The property of the society 
belonged to the Orthodox branch, although the Plicksites used 
the meeting houses for their worship. That at Le Ray (between 
Le Raysville and Evans' Mills) was built in 1816, and that at 
Friends Settlement in 1828. The Le Ray Preparative numbers 
25 families and parts of families, and that of Indian River less. 

Lutherans. — We are indebted to the Rev. F. Shipherd for the 
following notice of this sect. " In the year 1838 the Synod of the 
Frankean Evangelic Lutheran Church sent the Rev. Henry L. 
Dox as their missionnry, to select any portion of Jefferson 
County as his field of labor, which he mighn think most likely 
to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness in return for his 
labors. Acting under this commission, he located at Perch 
River and Stone Mills. He was ' but a youth and ruddy,' but 
God wrought most astonishing changes through his ministry. 
Churches were soon organized at Perch River and at Stone 
Mills; but no record is found which furnishes the particulars 
respecting their formation. On the 23d of May, 1840, these two 
churches were blended into one, by mutual agreement, and sixty 
members were enrolled as constituting the church at Stone Mills. 
On the 13th of November, 1852, a church was organized at Perch 
River, consisting of 32 members, leaving 66 remaining at Stone 
Mills. Mr. Dox also preached with great success at Shanty ville 
(now Orleans Four Corners), and organized a church, consisting 
of thirty-three members. The present number is eighty-eight. 
A church edifice, of stone, wavS erected at Stone Mills, about 
the year 1S35, at an expense of some $ 1,500. A very neat and 
commodious house for worship was built at Perch River, like 
that at Stone Mills, on the union principle, and dedicated to the 
worship of God. February 19, 1852, Mr. Charles B. Avery 
contracted to build it for $1,340, but is said to have expended 
some §1,700 upon it. On the following sabbath a beautiful 
church edifice, very much like that at Perch River, was conse- 
crated to God's service at Orleans Four Corners. This building 
is owned wholly by the Lutheran congregation, and was erected 
at the cost of $1,250. The lot on which it stands, was valued 
at $50; that at Perch River, at $85. Mr. Dox seems to have 
resigned his charge to the Rev. George W. Hemperly, in the 
winter or spring of 1841, who retained this charge, with two 
short intervals, for more than ten years. Fayette Shipherd, the 
present pastor, commenced his labors in May, 1852. Unpretend- 
ing as are these Lutheran churches, they are deemed important 
auxiliaries in the reform and salvation of the multitudes with 
whom they are surrounded." 

The Bible Society of Jefferson County was formed January 
29, 1817, at the Academy in Watertown. The first officers 



396 Benevolent Associations. 

elected were Ethel Bronson, jores? dent. Rev. Samuel F. Snowden, 
vice president, Rev. Nathaniel Dutton, second vice president, 
Rev. Daniel Banks, corresponding secretary, Timothy Burr, 
recording secretary, Egbert Ten Eyck, treasurer, Micah Ster- 
ling, auditor, and fifteen directors. An address was issued to the 
public, and measures taken for supplying destitute families. A 
systematic visitation of families was instituted, and at the Janu- 
ary meeting, 1824, it was reported that up to that time 681 
Bibles,and457Testamentshad been distributed. The sum received 
had been $515*78, and $348"67, had been paid. Ten town as- 
sociations had been formed; viz. in Adams, Champion, Sackets 
Harbor, Rodman, Brownville, Orleans, Antwerp, Le Ray, Water- 
town, and Ellisburgh. Previous to September 20th, 1832, the 
following additional auxiliaries had been formed: Chaumont, 
Cape Vincent, Rutland, Houndsfield, Perch River, Philadelphia, 
Evans' Mills, Alexandria, Smithville, North Adams. In 1834, 
an effort was made to raise $300, to purchase Bibles for foreign 
distribution, besides supplying the county. The meetings of the 
society have been maintained annually, and by a'provision in the 
constitution, a director is appointed in each town in the county. 
It is believed that the town societies are mostly given up. 

The Jefferson County Union for promoting the observance of 
the Christian Sabbath, was formed August 5, 1828, having Levi 
Beebee, president, S. F. Snowden, Calvin McKnight, Daniel 
Wardwell, vice president, Horace Hunt, treasurer, John Sessions, 
secretary. Its business was to be conducted by a board of twelve 
managers, and its constitution was signed by sixty-eight promi- 
nent citizens. Its objects were to discountenance traveling, or 
secular business upon the first day of the week, and its annual 
meetings were to be held in August. After existing a short 
time as an auxiliary [of the General Union, it ceased to keep up 
an organization. 

The union of the Watertown Presbytery and Black River 
Association, formed in 1829, and providing for a joint support 
of a plan of benevolent operations, was dissolvedjin August, 1834. 
These associations were abandoned by a formal vote of the Pres- 
bytery, August 25, 1835. Temperance and other societies have 
been formed at different times, many of which were soon aban- 
doned. The Jefferson County Society, for the promotion of 
temperance in the use of ardent spirits, held its first anniversary 
at Watertown, August 5, 1824, and was the first of these. 

A meeting of the judges of the county courts, officers thereof, 
members of the bar, and students at law, assembled at the court 
house in Watertown, February 26th, 1834, and organized them- 
selves into a temperance society. Hon. John Macomber was 
elected president, B. Wright, 1st vice president, Zeno Allen, 2d 



Benevolent Associations. 397 

vice president, P. Burchard, secretary, J. Steele, T. C. Chitten- 
den, and J. Butterfield, executive committee. Most of the per- 
sons present signed a temperance pledge. 

The Jefferson County Temperance Society, auxiliary to the 
state society, was formed by a convention assembled for the 
purpose in January in 1846. The formation of town societies 
was strongly recommended, statistics of intemperance, &c, to 
be collected, and strong efforts made to stop the sale of ardent 
spirits by withholding licenses by vote at a popular election, 
which had been a short time previously directed by the legislature 
to be held. Measures have recently been taken to establish a 
Carson League, for enforcing the laws regulating the sale of 
ardent spirits. 

An association, called the Jefferson County Education Society, 
was formed by a convention assembled at the court house for the 
purpose, September?, 1835, forming a part of a general system 
of associations for the promotion of improvements in common 
schools. Its officers were a president, a vice president in each 
town, and an executive committee of five, a secretary and a 
treasurer. Quarterly meetings were to be held, annual addresses 
delivered and efforts made in the several towns to carry into 
effect efficient measures ior the employment of qualified teachers, 
and the various improvements, calculated to elevate the standard 
of education. The officers first elected were Wm. Ruger, pre- 
sident ; J. Mullin, in Watertown; Joseph Graves, in Rutland; 
Alfred Lathrop, in Champion; Herman Strong, in Rodman; 
Daniel Howard, in Adams; John Boyden, in Lorraine; Hiram 
Barney, in Ellisburgh; Forrester Dexter, in Houndsfield; Tho- 
mas Knapp, in Brownviile; Dr. Wood, in Lyme; E. G. Merrick, 
in Clayton; William Martin, in Alexandria; A. M. Harger, in 
Paraelia; E. Tucker, in Philadelphia; Elisha Steele, Jr., in Le 
Ray; Rufus H. King, in Antwerp; Eli West, in Wilna, vice 
presidents; Peleg Burchard, secretary; Egbert Ten Eyck, trea- 
surer; B. A. Hickox, Dr. Reuben Goodale, Justin Butterfield, 
Dr. A. Trowbridge, and Charles Mason, executive committee. 

This association was of short continuance. The supervisors, 
in November, 1841, by a vote of eighteen to nine, agreed upon 
appointing two county superintendents of schools, and Ira May- 
hew, of Adams, and Henry D. Sewall, of Pamelia, were accord- 
ingly named for that office. In 1842, Lysander H. Brown was 
appointed in place of Sewall, and, in 1843, Porter Montgomery 
in place of Mayhew. In the same year the county was divided 
into two districts, the dividing line being Black River, excepting 
that W T ilna was attached to the southern portion, Mr. Brown 
received the charge of the northern and Mr. Montgomery of the 
southern district. In 1S44 this division was abolished, and Mr. 
26 



398 Aid to the Greeks and Irish Relief. 

Montgomery received the charge of all the schools in the county. 
In 1845, Erwin S. Barnes was appointed, and held his office un- 
til it was abolished by an act of the legislature. 

At the adoption of the free school law, a special meeting of 
the supervisors was held, December 26, 1849, and the treasurer 
was authorized by a resolution to borrow of the state, on the 
credit of the county, the sum of $7,1 12'59, to be applied to the use 
of common schools. This loan was sanctioned by a special act, 
passed April 10, 1850, and directed to be made from the capital 
of the school fund, to be repaid the next year by a tax upon the 
county. At the first election on the free school law, about sixty- 
five per cent of all the votes were for the law; and in the follow- 
ing election, sixty percent voted for its repeal. In 1849, active 
efforts were made to sustain the law by its friends, and a con- 
vention met at Watertown in October, at which resolutions were 
passed warmly commending the spirit of the act, and an address 
was published urging the electors to support it. The several 
candidates for assembly were interrogated upon their views on 
this subject. 

The struggle of the Greeks for independence excited the 
sympathies of our citizens in common with other sections of the 
state, and on the 19th of December, 1826, a meeting was held 
at D. Hungerford's hotel, in Watertown, to express their interest 
in the measure. The supervisor, town clerk, and assessors of 
each town, were solicited to act as a committee for collecting 
subscriptions in their several towns, and remitting the same to the 
county committee; Elisha Camp, Jason Fairbanks, Benjamin 
Wright, V. Le Ray, and 0. Hungerford, were appointed a com- 
mittee to cause the funds received to be applied for the objects 
intended. Circulars were addressed to other county clerks, re- 
questing a similar action. 

Contributions for the Greeks were collected in March, 1828, 
at Watertown, as follows: Presbyterian church, $6 1*57; Univer- 
salist church, $32*00; Baptist church, $17'61; Sunday school, 
$24; Watertown Chapter, No. 59 (Masonic), $50. Other col- 
lections were made soon after and forwarded, and several meet- 
ings were held. 

A meeting of citizens of Watertown was held February 23, 
1847, to take measures for the relief of the Irish, who were 
starving from the failure of the potato crop, upon which they 
mainly relied for food. The meeting organized, and appointed 
a committee, who prepared and published a stirring appeal to 
the citizens of the county, and urged the contribution of money, 
provisions, and clothing. A subscription of $375 was at once 
collected, and measures were taken to have collections taken up 
jn the churches, in aid of this charitable fund. The store of L. 



Jefferson County Medical Society. 399 

Paddock, Esq., the treasurer, was designated as the place of de- 
posit for the money or articles collected. About $3,000 worth 
was sent from the county for this object. 

The Jefferson County Medical Society was formed December 
17, 1806, by a meeting of the physicians of the county, held in 
pursuance of an act incorporating medical societies. John Dur- 
kee, Isaac Magoon, David B. Ripley, Isaiah Massey, Jabez 
Kingsbury, Benjamin Farlie, James D. Seisco, Ozias H. Rawson, 
Daniel Barney, Eli Eastman, H. Wilcox, Elias Skinner, and 
Hugh Henderson, were present, and united in the organization. 
The first officers were, John Durkee, president; Daniel Barney, 
vice president; Hugh Henderson, secretary; Isaiah Massey, 
treasurer; Benjamin Farlie, Eli Eastman, and Hugh Henderson, 
censors; H. Henderson, delegate to the state society. 

August 11, 1S07, a committee was appointed to enquire whether 
any unauthorized persons were practicing medicine, and to 
prosecute them if so. July 4, 1809, a committee of six was ap- 
pointed to report the number of quacks and unlicensed physicians. 
On the 13th of March, 1810, they reported nineteen names. 
A code of medical ethics was published by the society in 1829. 
At the July session, in 1830, a central committee of five, and 
one from each town, was appointed to take a medical topograph- 
ical survey of the county; but this measure was not carried into 
effect. During many years it was the custom of the society to 
offer prizes for essays on given subjects. The list of members 
has been destroyed by fire, and the following names of those ad- 
mitted by resolution is not perfect, but the best that can now be 
obtained. The year when each was elected is subjoined to his 
name; they are arranged alphabetically. 

Ephraim Adams, 1823; E. M. Adams, 1838; Jesse Ayres, 1829; Jo- 
seph Bags?, 1821; La Mont Bagg, 1829; William Baker, 1807; James 
K. Bates," 1829; William J. Bates, 1824; C. Barge, 1829; Daniel Barney, 
1826; Joshua Beals, Jr., 1807; Abner Benton, 1828; Daniel Brainard, 

1807; Brewster, 1820; James Brooks, 1822; William H. Buchan- 

nan, 1817; Joshua J. Barrett, 1810; John M. Burton, 1818; H. W. 
Bushnell, 1828; Nathan Chever, 1810; Joseph N. Clark, 1819; Joseph 
Clary, 1811; W. G. Comstock, 1843; Caleb Corp, 1828; John Cowen, 
1811; Ithamer B. Crawe, 1822; Benjamin Cushman, 1818; O. W. Cush- 
man, 1828 ; John D. Davison, 1828; William H. H. Davis, 1841; Walter 
Dewey, 1838; Foster Dexter, 1838; David Dickerson, 1828; H. S. Dick- 
enson, 1835; Joel Dresser, 1807; John Durkee, 1806; E. Dutton, 1815; 
Pelatiah Dwight, 1828; Chester Eastman, 1835; Eli Eastman, 1806; 
Amos Ellis, 1839; Jonathan Ellis, 1831; Alfred Ely, 1817; Benjamin 
Farlie, 1806; Elkanah French, 1828; William J. Fish, 1826; Samuel 
Gaines, 1831; Charles Goodale, 1841; Reuben Goodale, 1813; Simon 
Goodel, 1848; A. W. Gray, 1828; Alpheus S.Green, 1817; Joseph 
Green, 1807; Kilborn Hannahs, 1837; Curtis Haven. 1822; Hugh Hen- 
derson, 1806; John M. Henderson, 1810; H. H. Hills, 1828; S. Hough- 
ton, 1816; Amasa How, 1811; S. W. Hunt, 1831; Paul Hutchinson, 
1809; Isaac Jenks, 1828; Jones, 1828; Converse Johnson, 1828; 



400 Medico! History. 

John P. Johnson, 1828; C. P. Kimball, 1814; D. S. Kimball, 1828; 
Jabez Kingsbury, 1806; isaac Magoon, 1806; Frederick P. Markham, 
1814; J. Marsh, 1816; Elisha Matthews, 1808; Isaiah Massey, 1806; E. 
R. Maxson. 1846; Philip Maxwell, 1828; Hiram Mills, 1826; Alpheiis 
Morse, 1818; Henry J. Munson, 1829; Alvah Murdoch, 1829; Nel- 
son, 1819; Isaac Olney, 1812; Charles Orvis, 1826; Horatio Orvis, 1807; 
Amos Page, 1819; Almond Pitcher, 1828 ; Caleb Preston, 1828; Sam- 
uel Randall, 1817 ;Ozias H. Rawsom, 1806; David Ripley, 1806; William 
Robinson, 1812; Ralph Rogers, 1820; William V. V. Rosa, 1843; G. S. 
Sacket, 1828 ; James D. Seisco, 1806 ; Stephen Seymour, 1830 ; Abel Sher- 
man, 1807; Henry 11. Sherwood, 1808; Jonathan Sherwood, 1818; William 
J. Sikes, 1828; Ira A. Smith, 1820; S. W. Sole, 1841 ; John Safford, 1811 ; 
Gordeu P. Spencer, 1828; Russell Steel, 1810; Aaron Sumner, 1831; 
Benjamin Tractor, 1842; A masa Trowbridge, 1809; William R. Trow- 
bridge, 1846; Samuel Tucker, 1828; Noah Tubbs, 1811; William E. 
Tyler, 1843; Ruths S. Waite,1820; Walter Webb, 1823; James A. 
Wells, 1821 ; Eli West; Isaac Weston, 1807; Samuel Whetmore, 1828; 
H. Wilcox, 1806; William H. Wiser, 1833; Isaac S. Wood, 1810; 
Caleb Woodward, 1826; Ira Wright, 1828; A. M. Van Ostrand, 1843. 

The diseases which have occurred in our county can scarcely 
be said to offer any peculiarity worthy of remark. Few sections 
are more generally healthy, or less exposed to local causes of 
disease. The sickness of 1798, and of 1S2S, have been noticed 
on pages 80, 147, 158, and 202. The lake and river shore, and 
the borders of Perch and Indian rivers, have been in some dry 
seasons subject to intermittent fevers; but less now than formerly. 

The vicinity of Natural Bridge, in Wilna, is thought to pre- 
sent endemical causes of bronchocele, a malady somewhat common 
there. 

The spring of 1813 was remarkable for the prevalence of an 
ep\dem\c,pnevmonia typhoides which having prevailed in the east- 
ern portions of the union, during the previous winter, first ap- 
peared in the county about the Sth of March, and raged with 
great severity till the 1st of May. Some idea of its prevalence 
may be judged from the experience of a single physician* who 
in the ordinary limits of his practice, met in that period with 
330 cases, of which 13 were fatal. Its appearance was a little 
earlier in Lewis county, and later at Watertown than at Rutland. 
The attack was generally sudden, and the fate of the patient was 
often decided within a few hours; in about one third of the cases, 
the disease attacked the head, and in the remainder the lungs. It 
was epidemic, but not contagious, and in its course it spread 
over a wide extent of country. No exemptions of age, sex, or 
condition, were noticed. Other epidemics of less fatality have been 
observed, but statistics are wanting concerning them. In 1S22-3, 
a very fatal but limited sickness from a local cause occurred in 
Rutland, and in the winter of 1844-5 a similar but mote fatal 

* Dr. C. P. Kemball, of Rutland, from whom many interesting fact3 have 
been received. 



Jefferson Comity Agricultural Society. 401 

and prevalent sickness occurred in Antwerp, of which many 
died. The cholera has on the several occasions of its return 
spread an alarm through the county, but fortunately never vis- 
ited our border except perhaps in a few scattered cases. 

The Agricultural Society of Jefferson County. — As the till- 
age of the soil has been and must necessarily continue to be, 
the principal source of wealth in the county, every measure tend- 
ing to the promotion of this object, is especially deserving of 
notice. Such was the feeling that in IS 17 prompted to the form- 
ation of an agricultural society, which has ever since continued 
in active and efficient operation, surviving every other county 
society in the state that originated at an early period, and at 
present exerting a beneficial influence comparable with the most 
flourishing. 

The first act for the encouragement of agriculture or manufac- 
tures that operated in the county, was passed April 8, 1S0S, 
giving eighty dollars premium to the one who should produce 
the best specimen of woolen cloth of uniform texture and quality 
not less than thirty yards long. The award was to be made by 
the judges of the court of common pleas, and paid by the comp- 
troller. Mr. Le Ray, having imported some fine wool sheep, thus 
afforded the material, and specimens were produced by Hart 
Massey and Noadiah Hubbard, which were so nearly alike in 
quality that the premium was divided between them. Some ir- 
regularity in application made a special act necessary, which 
was passed March 19, 1810. 

The Jefferson County Agricultural Society was formed at the 
house of Isaac Lee, in Watertown, October 25, 1817, at which 
J. D. LeRay w r as chosen president; Jacob Brown, first vice 
president; Ethel Bronson, second vice president; Egbert Ten 
Eyck, secretary; Oren Stone, treasurer, and one in each town 
as a local committee, viz: William M. Lord, Houndsfield; Hart 
Massey, Watertown; George White, Rutland; Noadiah Hub- 
bard, Champion; Ahiza Smith, Henderson; Eliphalet Edmonds, 
Adams; Nathan Strong, Rodman; Ebenezer Wood, Ellisburgh; 
Clark Allen, Lorraine; John B. Esselstyn, Lyme; Walter B. 
Cole, Brownville; Roswell Woodruff, Le Ray; Silvius Hoard, 
Antwerp; Thomas Brayton, Wilna. 

This was the second county society in the state, that of Otsego 
county being the first. The first in the Union is said to have been 
that of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, after which the most of 
those that followed have been modeled. Mr. Elkanah Watson, 
who may be said to have been its founder, gives the following 
account of its origin:* 

In the fall of 1807, having procured the first pair of merino 

* History of Agricultural Societies on the modern Berkshire system p. 118 



402 Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 

sheep that had appeared in that county, if not in the state, which, 
although defective in grade, were far superior to any that had 
been before seen, he was induced to notify an exhibition under 
the great elm tree, in the public square, in Pittsfield, of these two 
sheep, on a certain day. Many farmers, and even women,were exci- 
ted by curiosity to attend this first, novel, and humble exhibition, 
and its projector giving to his reasoning the rule-of-three form, 
thus argued to himself. If two animals : are capable of exciting 
so much attention :: what would be the effect on a larger scale, 
with larger animals? This little incident subsequently led to 
other and more extensive operations in the line of exhibitions, 
until the sphere of their influence has come to embrace the en- 
tire range of domestic industry; exciting emulation in the lowly 
cottage and among the humble classes, as well as with the more 
opulent, and diffusing the republican principle of equality, by 
elevating and dignifying the pursuits of the laboring classes. 

The following is a copy of the first articles of association, of 
our county society: 

" 1. The objects of this society are, the promotion and improve- 
ment of agricultural and rural economy. 

2. Every member of this society shall subscribe these articles, 
or a copy thereof, and pay, at the time of subscribing, one dollar 
to the treasury for the use of the society; he shall also pay in 
like manner, on or before the second Tuesday of October, one 
dollar, annually, so long as he continues a member, and when- 
ever a member chooses to withdraw, he shall have liberty so to 
do on giving notice in writing to the secretary, and paying all 
arrears and dues, including the current year. 

3. The officers of the society shall consist of a president, two 
vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer, to be chosen by bal- 
lot, and such other officers as the by-laws shall direct. 

4. The next meeting of the society shall be on the last Mon- 
day of December next, at the house of Isaac Lee ; at which meet- 
ing, and at any future stated meeting of the society, the members 
present shall have power to make such laws and regulations as 
they shall deem expedient, for carrying into effect the objects of 
this society. 

5. No salary or pecuniary reward shall be allowed to any of- 
ficer, or committee of this society, for discharging their official 
duties." 

The by-laws provided for two stated meetings annually, on the 
first Mondays of March and October; at the first of which, the 
officers were to be elected, and at the latter a fair was to be 
held. The general affairs of the society were vested in a 
committee, consisting of the president, secretary, and five mem- 
bers; and a committee of three members was to be appointed in 



Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 403 

each town, to distribute seeds, plants, scions, books, &c, and to 
receive and transmit meritorious communications to the central 
body. Honorary members were to be admitted on a two-third 
vote. A viewing committee of five, to judge on the improve- 
ments and cultivation of lands; a committee of produce, nine 
in number, to judge on the quantity and quality of produce, 
and an inspecting committee, of nine, for domestic animals, 
were to be annually appointed by the executive committee. 

The first address before the society was delivered by Le Ray 
de Chaumont. After alluding to the interest he had felt on this 
subject, and the part he had taken in the first settlement of Ot- 
sego county, in 1785, he adds: 

" It has now the honor to take the lead in establishing in this 
great state the first agricultural society. I mention this example 
more particularly as being by a greater analogy with us, more 
easy to follow, and to excite a noble and profitable emula- 
tion. * * * The object of our society, and its more direct 
business is, to encourage every branch of agriculture, and rural 
economy, best adapted to our soil and climate, by a well digested 
combination of science and practice; to promote inquiries and 
receive information the most useful to agriculture; to suggest 
experiments and improvements which may tend to the ameliora- 
tion and prosperity of agriculture, and, of course, our manufac- 
tures, of which they are the aliment and support. By premiums, 
we excite a spirit of generous pride and emulation, a desire to 
gain a knowledge of the most profitable and practical husbandry; 
to get the best breeds of domestic animals; to more neatly culti- 
vate our farms; to raise the cleanest and best crops; in a word, 
to make agriculture more systematic, lucrative, and respectable." 

From this quotation it was evident, that at that period, the 
advantages to be derived from association were fully appreciated, 
and the experience of nearly forty years has done little more than 
to confirm the views of these pioneer founders of the society. 
The venerable John Adams, ex-president of the United States, 
received, with others, a copy of the proceedings of the first meet- 
ing, and he thus wrote: 

Quinct, February 12, 1818. 

Sir, — "I have received and read with pleasure an address to the 
Agricultural Society of Jefferson County, in the state of New York, and 
as I know not from whom it came, who should I thank for it but its 
author? I rejoice in every new society which has agriculture for its 
oltject, and see with delight that the spirit is spreading through the United 
States. If 1 could worship any of the heathen gods, it would he old 
Saturn, because I believe him to be only an allegorical personification of 
Agriculture, and the children he devoured, to be only Ins own grapes 
and fiajs, apples and pears, wheat and barley. I agree with you in the 
main in every sentiment, particularly relative to grapes and corn; yet we 
can not have perfect roast beef, nor perfect roast spare-rib, nor perfect 



404 Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 

poultry, without maize. We must therefore sacrifice a little luxury to a 
great deal of public good. From the style of this address I should not 
have suspected it to have been written by any other than a native of this 
country. Thirty-nine years ago, I little thought I should live to see the 
heir-apparent to the princely palaces and garden of Passy, my fellow 
citizen in the republican wilderness of America, laying the foundation 
for more ample domains and perhaps more splendid palaces. I observed 
the motto of the Hotel de Valentinnis, which I had then the honor to 
inhabit, "se sta bene, non se wioDe" — If you stand well, standstill. But 
you have proved the maxim not to be infallible ; and I rejoice in it. 
Your sincere well wisher and humble servant, 
Le Ray de Chaumont. John Adams." 

At the first meeting, upon motion of Ethel Bronson, a com- 
mittee of nine persons, styled a Committee of Manufactures, was 
added to those previously existing. 

The First Cattle Show and Fair of the society was held on 
the 28th and 29th of September, ISIS. The first day was devot- 
ed to the exhibition of stock, and domestic manufacture, and in 
receiving communications on various subjects presented by the 
occasion. Governor Clinton, General Stephen Van Rensselaer, 
Colonel Jenkins, G. Parish, and other distinguished strangers, 
were present on the stand with the officers of the society. The 
pens for cattle were arranged in a circle, the platform in the 
centre, and the domestic manufactures were displayed in the 
Court House. In the course of the afternoon, Mr. Roswell Wood- 
ruff exhibited a cart drawn by seventeen yoke of oxen and 
steers, the product of his own farm; Judge Hubbard and Colonel 
Harris, of Champion, exhibited a cart drawn by fifteen yoke of 
veryfinefat cattle, and the officersof the society dined at the house 
of Butler Ranney, where extensive preparations had been made 
for the occasion. On the 29th, a plowing match came off with 
horse and ox teams, after which a procession w r as formed, which 
preceded by a band of music attached to the 2d Regt. TJ. S. 
Infantry, marched to the Court House, while a salute was fired 
at the Arsenal, under the direction of Major Masters. An ad- 
dress was delivered by J. D. Le Ray de Chaumont, the president 
of the society, which was followed by one by De Witt Clinton, 
then governor of the state. Believing that the latter will be 
read with peculiar interest, we here insert it. 

"Independent of the very flattering references which have been made 
in the very able address just delivered, and which demand my sincere 
acknowledgments, it would be difficult for me to refrain from express- 
ing the high gratification which I have derived from the first exhibition 
of this respectable association. 

When we recollect that scarcely twenty years have passed away, since 
the first inhabitant erected his hut in this county, and when we see that 
it now contains flourishing villages, and a considerable population, cha- 
racterized as the proceedings of this day evince, by intelligent views and 
well-directed exertions; that its soil is uncommonly iertile, and its cli- 



Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 405 

mate eminently salubrious, and when we consider that with the natural 
advantages which flow from its extensive connection with our interior 
seas, and the artificial facilities which it will derive from the improve- 
ments of our internal navigation, the markets of the north and south 
will be open to its productions; we must be persuaded that the attain- 
ment of fullness of population, and exuberance of wealth, depends 
entirely upon yourselves. 

You have, gentlemen, wisely chosen the true road which leads to pros- 
perity. Agriculture is the source of subsistence; subsistence is the basis 
of population ; and population is the foundation of prosperity and power. 
Agriculture is also the parent of individual and national opulence. It 
comprehends in its operations all the sources of wealth. It employs 
land, labor, and capital. It comprises the cultivation of all the fruits of 
the earth; embraces almost every method of obtaining food for labor, 
and includes the raising of domestic animals, because that employment 
is necessarily identified with the cultivation of vegetable food. And as 
the prosperity of a country essentially depends upon the quantity of sur- 
plus produce derived from the soil, and as the amount of the materials 
of subsistence will always be regulated by the exertions of agriculturists, 
it is evident that its benefits in these respects can not be too highly 
appreciated. But when we further reflect, that it is favorable to exercise, 
the guardian of health — to contemplation, the parent of wisdom — to 
activity, the friend of virtue ; and (to adopt the emphatic language of a 
sublime poet) to that 

' Sweet peace which goodness bosoms ever,' 

we must all admit, that as it was the first, it is also the best. 

Among the various measures adopted for the promotion of this pursuit, 
and its invariable companion, domestic manufactures, the most effectual is 
the establishment of societies for the collection and diffusion of informa- 
tion, and for the excitement of industry and emulation. This plan has been 
adopted in tins county, and a wise legislature will cherish such institutions 
with extraordinary patronage. It is pleasing to see at the head of this 
establishment distinguished men, applying with so much public spirit, the 
gifts of nature, the endowments of education, and the bounties of fortune, 
to the improvement of this favored region. It is gratifying to perceive 
men who have encircled themselves with high renown, and elevated the 
character of their country, planting the olive by the laurel, and cultivat- 
ing the arts of peace with the same ability with which they directed the 
storm of war. And it is a subject of high felicitation to witness this 
confederacy of scientific and practical men ; to behold the experienced 
agriculturist, and the enlightened professional man, combining their 
powers in favor of agriculture and domestic manufactures, and devising 
ways and means to promote the public prosperity. 

There was a period of danger, when the eyes of the people of this 
state were directed with peculiar anxiety to this region: when you passed 
with honor through the difficulties with which you were environed, and 
vindicated the character of America at the point of the sword. On this 
day the public eye is fixed on you with equal attention, to view the pros- 
perity of your agriculture and the wide spreading and far extending 
progress of your useful improvements; and lam happy to say that there 
will be no disappointment. The distinguished gentlemen who have united 
with me in this visit also unite with me in this expression of approba- 
tion. We offer you our best acknowledgments for your friendly invita- 
tion and cordial reception, and we humbly implore the blessings of the 
Almighty on you individually and collectively, and on the inhabitants in 
general of this flourishing county." 



406 Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 

The first viewing committee in 1818, consisted of Samuel 
Brown, James Parker, Simeon Hunt, Curtis G. Brooks, and Sam- 
uel Evans, who visited nine towns, examined seventy-five subjects, 
and awarded twenty-two premiums in cups, goblets, and spoons, 
worth $128. Three premiums in plate, worth $25, were award- 
ed on the plowing match: eighteen premiums on stock worth 
$156, and fourteen on domestic manufactures, worth $93, were 
awarded. At the close of the exercises, the society adjourned to 
attend the sale of the premium ox, which had been presented to 
the society by its worthy president. It was sold in small parcels, 
and amounted to $619. 

On the 7th of April 1819, the sum of $10,000 for two years, 
was applied by law to the encouragement of county societies for 
the promotion of agriculture, and domestic manufactures, of which 
sum this county received $200. Under this act, the presidents 
of county societies assembled at Albany, formed a board of Agri- 
culture. Of this board, Mr. Le Ray, was elected vice president. 
No provision being made for a continuance beyond two years; 
many county societies disbanded, but this continued in operation, 
and held regular meetings, and fairs. 

On the 2Sth of March, 1828, an act was passed incorporating 
Le Ray de Chaumont, Perley Keyes, Elisha Camp, Peter N. 
Cushman, Egbert Ten Eyck, Rodney Burt, Daniel Eames, Micah 
Sterling, Noadiah Hubbard, Orville Hungerford, George White, 
Hiram Merrill, John Brown, Curtis Golden, Samuel C. Kennedy, 
Ezekiel Jewett, Albert Brayton, Samuel Brown, John B. Essel- 
styn, Abijah Farwell, Edmund Kirby, V. Le Ray de Chaumont, 
Alfred Freeman, Simeon Hunt, Stoel Warner, Asa Carter, Jona- 
than Graves, William Doxtater, Clark Allen, Liberty Bates, and 
such as might join them, as the Jefferson County Agricultural 
Society. J. Le Ray, was named first presidents, P. Keyes, E. 
Camp, and P. N. Cushman, vice president, O. Hungerford trea- 
surer, E. Ten Eyck, secretary. Elections were to be held on the 
last Tuesday of September, and the income was limited to $5,000. 
Under this act the society continued to hold annual fairs, with 
one or two exceptions, until reorganized under the general act of 
1841. 

In March, 1830, members of the society, then the only one of 
the class existing in the state, petitioned the legislature for the 
power of offering premiums for horses of the best speed, and that 
the racing of horses for such premiums might be allowed under 
proper regulations, and restrictions. The petitioners set forth; 
that the rearing of horses is much attended to in the country; 
" That the value of horses in market, depends much upon their 
speed and activity; but, that owing to the restrictions now ex- 
isting by law, it is impossible properly to test the speed of horses 



Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 407 

at home, and consequently they can not command that price in 
market which they would command could their value be known. 

The soil of the county is well adapted to the growing of grains 
both fine and coarse; but, inconsequence of the distance from 
the markets of the state, those productions will not bear trans- 
portation, so that the farmers are compelled to resort to the rais- 
ing of live stock, as almost the only resource for money in the 
county."* This petition met with a favorable report from the 
committee to whom it w r as referred, but failed to procure a law 
authorizing a race course. 

A convention for the formation of a State Agricultural Society, 
met at Albany, February 14, 1832, of which Le Ray de Chau- 
mont was chosen president. The other delegates from Jefferson 
County were Orville Hungerford, V. Le Ray de Chaumont, Ed- 
mund Kirby, Jason Fairbanks, Isaac H. Bronson, Perley Keyes, 
Robert Lansing, Nathan Strong, Philip Maxwell, and Robert 
Nichols. The result of this convention was the formation of a 
state society, having for its objects to improve the condition of 
agriculture, horticulture, and the household arts. Besides the 
usual officers of such organizations, it had a general committee, 
the members of which were to be located in the several counties, 
and be equal to the representation in the assembly. Those ap- 
pointed in Jefferson County were V. Le Ray de Chaumont, Ed- 
mund Kirby, and Egbert Ten Eyck. 

By this act no provision was made for county societies. In 
December, 1833, the Jefferson County Society addressed a me- 
morial, urging this object and calling attention to their own 
county, in proof of the beneficial results of these organizations, 
as shown in improved breeds of stock, in the general practice 
of better and more systematic husbandry, and in a wholesome 
spirit of emulation, imparting value to farms and respectability 
to farmers. An anxious desire for an extension of these benefits 
induced this application, in which of the two plans, which had 
been before the legislature at its former session, one of which 
provided for the establishment of agricultural schools, and the 
other for county and state societies, they expressed their prefer- 
ence for the latter, as at that lime more extensively useful. The 
committee who signed this memorial, were J. Le Ray de Chau- 
mont, E. Ten Eyck, E. Kirby, George White , Olney Pearce, and 
Orville Hungerford. 

On the 5th of May, 1841, an act for the encouragement of 
agricultural societies was passed, by which this was to receive 
$183, for five years, and on the 19th of June of that year a new 
organization was completed. In the summer of 1843, thesociety 
erected in the rear of the court house a hall, 105 by 50 feet, at 

* Assembly Documents, 1S30, vol. iv, No. 308. 



408 Ellisburgh Agricultural Society. 

a cost of $1,000, for the holding of fairs. On the 24th of 
August, 1851, the executive committee resolved to purchase ten 
acres of land on the Brownville road, about half a mile west of 
the rail road, which has been enclosed, and the building origin- 
ally built near the court house removed and fitted up, with 
additions for the permanent use of the society. Great credit is 
due to the forecast of the executive committee, in thus securing 
a most eligible site for the annual fairs of the society. 

The Ellisburgh Agricultural Society was organized March 
8, 1849, the first officers being Alvah Bull, president; Mason 
Salisbury, A. G. Earl, vice presidents; William T. Searles, re- 
cording secretary; Samuel Hackley, corresponding secretary; 
Green Packer, James Brodie, A. F. Wood, M. Stearns, M. S. 
Wood, T. Shepard, executive committee. 

At its first organization, it was designed to apply to the town 
of Ellisburgh only, and was instituted and sustained by a num- 
ber of spirited agriculturists who were desirous of promoting a 
competition in the rearing of stock and the details of farm hus- 
bandry in general, but who found it difficult to attend the fairs 
of the county society, or to excite through them that local in- 
terest and emulation so desirable to attain. 

Comparatively, but few had attended the fairs at W T atertown, 
and the benefits of association scarcely extended to the more re- 
mote sections of the county. This society has held one fair 
annually since its organization, viz: at Ellis Village in 1849 
and 1850; at Belleville in 1851; at Ellis Village in 1852, and 
at Belleville in 1853. 

By a resolution of January S, 1853, the citizens of Adams and 
Henderson were allowed to compete for premiums, but all meet- 
ings were to be held in Ellisburgh, and on the 10th of March, 
1853, an eligible lot, partly in a cleared field and partly in an 
open wood, was leased from William T. Searls for ten years, the 
first six years being free of rent, on condition that the premises 
should be enclosed in a high board fence, and the remaining four 
to be paid at the rate of ten dollars per annum. The subjects 
for premiums embrace the various classes of domestic animals, 
agricultural implements, the produce of the field, the orchard, 
the dairy and the garden, household manufactures and miscella- 
neous articles; and the money with which these premiums are 
paid is derived from the annual contributions of members. 

The officers for 1853 were Mason Salisbury president; John 

C. Cooper, Henry Green. Jr., vice presidents; Calvin Littlefield, 
recording secretary; B. K. Hawes, corresponding secretary ; John 
Clark, treasurer; V. C. Warner, Nelson Boomer, Ferendez 
Brown, C. B. Eastman, James F. Converse, Jabez Hunting, S. 

D. Ilungerford, A. E. Webster, and George Clark, executive 
committee. 



Masonic Associations. 409 

The Cape Vincent Town Jigri cultural Society was formed 
in the spring of 1850, having in view the same objects as the 
county society, limiting its operations to the town, and offering 
premiums. In December, 1852, its rules were altered to allow 
citizens of Lyme, Clayton and Wolf Island, to compete for pre- 
miums. Its officers are, a president, two vice presidents, a 
recording and corresponding secretary, and treasurer, who form 
an executive committee. Memberships fifty cents annually. 
About $100 have been given each year for premiums. Its offi- 
cers have been as follows: -presidents, John B. Esselstyn, Wil- 
lard Ainsworth, Roswell T. Lee, and Charles Smith; recording 
secretaries, Robert Bartlet, John W. Little, Nelson B. Williams; 
corresponding secretary, L. H. Ainsworth; treasurers, N. B. 
Williams, Sidney W. Ainsworth, William Esselstyn, Thomas 
B. Raymond. The society is at presont in a very flourishing 
condition, and will doubtless be productive of much good. 

Associations for Mutual Benefit. — Masonic. — The first lodge 
formed in the county was at Sackets Harbor, in 1S05, styled the 
Sachets Harbor Lodge, with Augustus Sacket, Jenks Simmons, and 
Squire Reed, successively masters. In the war it was suspend- 
ed, and in 1818, Alhol Lodge, No. 30S, was formed, with Hiram 
Steele, master. It continued until 1827. 

Sachets Harbor Lodge, No. 135, was formed May 28, 1848, 
with Smuel Lyons master, and is still continued. 

Eastern Light Lodge, No. 136, was formed at W T atertown, 
June 17, 1806, the first officers being Powell Hall, M., S. C. Ken- 
nedy, S. W., Zelotus Harvey, J. W., Benjamin Allen, T., Isaiah 
Massey, S., Hart Massey, S. D., Josiah Farrar, J. D., Benjamin 
Pool, S. S., Samuel Foster, J. S., Andrew Bassenger, Tyler. 
The masters have been: 1806, P. Hall; 1807. S. C. Kennedy; 
1809, C. McKnight; 1813, Isaiah Massey; 1814, Isaac Lee, 
till November 15, 1815, when the charter was surrendered, and 
June 5, 1817, a new one was granted for Watertown Lodge, No. 
289, under which the masters have been, 1815, I. Lee; 1819, 
Dyer Huntington; 1821, Abner Baker, Jr.; 1823, David W. 
Bucklin; 1824, A. Baker, Jr.; 1826, Isaac H. Bronson; 1827,1. 
B. Crawe; 1829, I. H. Bronson; 1832, Asher N. Corss. The 
charter being forfeited, was restored in 1835, when William 
H. Shumway was chosen master; 1836, A. N. Corss; 1844, W. 
H. Shumway; 1845, Calvin Auborn; 1846, Lysander H. Brown; 
1848, P. Horr; 1S49,L. H. Brown; 1850, A. D. Button; 1851, 
Randolph Barns. In 1840, the number was changed to 49. 

Champion Lodge, No. 146, was opened March 26th, 1807, at 
the house of Edward Buttricks, in the village, the first officers 
being Zelotus Harvey, M.; John Pardee, S. W.; Reuben Tread- 
way, J. W.; Noadiah Hubbard, T.j Jinson Clark, S; William 



410 Masonic Associations. 

Coffeen, S. D.; Timothy Jackson, J. D.; Asa Harris, Aaron 
Palmer, stewards, Daniel Coffeen, tyler. The Masters have 
been: 1807, Z. Harvey; 1808, William Coffeen; 1809, Aaron 
Palmer; 1811, N. Hubbard; 1812, Fairchild Hubbard; 1813, 
Asher Wilmott; 1814, A. Palmer; 1817, Sylvester Meriam; 
1818, A. Palmer; 1819, Alexander Copley; 1820, Samuel 
Dean; 1821, A. Palmer; 1822, Eli West; 1823, S. Dean; 1824, 
E. West; 1825, S. Dean; 1826, W T ard Hubbard. In August, 
1827, the last regular meeting under the old charter was held, 
and there being a considerable amount of funds on hand, these 
were applied to the erection of the present stone academy in 
Champion Village, in 1834, of which the building committee 
were Noadiah Hubbard, John P. Johnson, Levi Ellis, Solomon 
Hopkins and Hubby Dorwin. The lodge, with a new charter, 
No. 29, opened December 19th, 1836. The masters have since 
been: 1836, J. P. Johnson; 1837, Ward Hubbard; 1843, 
Samuel A. Budd; 1846, W. Hubbard; 1847, Albert L. White; 
1848, Seth Merrill; 1850, W. Hubbard; 1851, William A. 
Hollister. The lodge room is in the upper story of the academy. 

Rising Sun Lodge, No. 124, was formed at Adams, about 
1806, the first master being Robert Merrick. During the anti- 
masonic excitement the lodge went down. It has been lately 
revived with the same name and number. 

Washington Lodge, No. 256, was formed at Henderson, 
March 10th, 1816, with Emory Osgood, M.; Noah Tubbs, S. 
W.; Daniel Leonard, J. W. In 1824, it contributed half the 
expense of erecting a Baptist church, the second story being 
fitted for a lodge room. About 1832 it sold out to the society 
and was given up. 

Orion Lodge, No. 286, was formed at Woodville October 27th, 
1817, with Martin E. Cook, M.; Oliver Scott, S. W.; Ebenezer 
Wood, J. W. It was afterwards removed to Ellis Village, and, 
about 1827, abandoned. 

Brownville Lodge, No. 318, was installed March 31st, 1819, 
by Isaac Lee acting as G. M.; A. Trowbridge, D. G. M. Its 
masters have been Sylvester Reed, Peleg Burchard, James Mc- 
Kenzie, Hoel Lawrence, Warren Skinner, S. Reed. From 1827 
till 1839 the meetings were discontinued, when the charter was 
revived as No. 53. The masters have since been Alanson 
Skinner, Richard Buckmaster, Arba Strong, John N. Cole, A. 
Skinner, R. Buckmaster, Charles K. Loomis, Horace Skinner, 
and Morrison C. Loomis. 

Cape Vincent Lodge, No. 344, was installed July 10th, 1822, 
by Isaac Lee. The petition in December previous was signed 
by John B. and R. M. Esselstyn, Elnathan Judd, Zebulon Con- 
verse, Elisha Johnson, Henry Ainsworth, James Buckley, 



Masonic Associations. Ill 

Andrew Estes, William Palmer, John Nash, Count Real, Joseph 
Cross, S. P. Sheldon, Samuel Doxsee, Willis Merritt, and D. Slo- 
cum. The first officers were J. B. Esselstyn, M.; E. Judd, S. W.; 
Z. Converse, J. W. ; R. M. Esselstyn, S. ; H. Ainsworth, T. During 
the anti-masonic excitement the lodge was broken up, and the 
present year a new one has been formed that was installed July 
28th, 1853. 

Union Lodge, No. 397, was formed March 24th, 1824, at 
Rodman, with Levi Heath, M.; William P. McKinstrey, S. W.; 
Philon Parker, J. W. Mr. McKinstrey succeeded as master, 
when in 1S27 it was dissolved. The by-laws were signed by 43 
members. 

Alexandria Lodge, No. 383, was formed in 1824, at Theresa, 
the successive masters being William Storm, Dr John D. Davi- 
son, and Archibald Fisher. It went down in 1827 or 1828. On 
the 21st of June, 1850, Theresa Lodge, No. 174, was chartered, 
with J. D. Davison, M.; John Moak, S. W.; and John Dillen- 
back, J. W. J. Moak, succeeded as master. 

The Queen of Sheba Lodge, John Howe, M., was formed at 
Antwerp, a few years before the rise of anti-masonry, and went 
down in that period. The Antwerp Lodge was instituted 1847. 

Carthage Lodge was installed July 11, 1826, the address be- 
ing delivered by Isaac Clinton, of Lowville. The officers were, 
Eli West, M.; Thomas Brayton, S. W.; N. Starks, J. W. In 
June. 1849, it was revived as No. 158, with E. West, M.; 
Joseph Crowner, S. W.; K. E. Parker, J. W. 

Hermon Lodge, was instituted at Evans' Mills, in the fall of 
1826, with William Palmer, M.,- who held the office till the 
charter was surrendered, soon after. It has not since been 
revived. 

Scotch Lodge, No. 500, was instituted April 23, 1827, with 
John McRobbie, M.; James Fairbairn, S. W.; William Fachney, 
J. W. The charter was forfeited January 19, 1833. The 
lodge was installed at Ox Bow, and the meetings were held in 
the Scotch Settlement, in the adjoining town of Rossie. 

Depauville Lodge, was formed shortly before 1828, and 
existed but a short time. It had about thirty members. 

Chaumont Lodge, No. 172, was installed August 7, 1850, and 
now has fifty-five members. Its masters have been Frederick 
Bell, P. P. Gage and F. Bell. 

Alexandria Lodge was instituted at Plessis, in the summer of 
1853, with Jason Clark, M.j Martin J. Hutchins, S. W.; Daniel 
Roof, J. W. In October, it numbered about twenty members. 

Clayton Lodge, No. 296, was formed in February, 1853. 

Chapters. — Watertown Chapter, No. 59, was instituted Feb- 
ruary 7, 1817, with Egbert Ten Eyck, H. P.; Amasa Trow- 
bridge, K. ; Isaac Lee, S. 



412 Chapters. — Odd Fellows' Lodges. 

Sachets Harbor Chapter, No. 68, was formed February 7, 
1820, upon the application of M. T. Woolsey, William King 
and John Clitz. In December, 1849, it was revived, after many 
years interval, with Thomas S. Hall, H. P.; Jason Phelps, K.; 
and Samuel Whittlesey, S. 

Meridian Sun Chapter, was instituted at Adams, March 11, 
1824, and has been long since discontinued. 

Rising Virtue Chapter, No. 96, was revived at Chaumont, 
on an old charter, in August, 1851, with ten members. Its first 
officers were R. T. Lee, H. P.; F. Bell, K.; Z. Converse, S. 

Watertown Encampment, No. 11, was formed June 9, 1826, 
with Orville Hungeriord, Grand Com.; Adriel Ely, Generalis- 
simo; and Isaac H. Bronson, Capt. Gen. It now numbers about 
twenty-five members. 

On the occurrence of the abduction of William Morgan, the 
anti-masonic excitement pervaded this, with other sections, and 
nearly every lodge in the county surrendered its charter. The 
matter soon got into politics, and several papers were succes- 
sively established at Adams and Watertown, as more fully stated 
in our account of the press. In 1830, thirteen masonic and five 
anti-masonic supervisors were elected, and in 1831 an equal 
number of each. This question unsettled former political organi- 
zations, and in innumerable instances made political friends 
those who had previously been opponents. 

Odd Fellows. — Black River Lodge, No. 124, and Iroquois 
Lodge, No. 161, formed at Watertown, were united September, 
24, 1844, as the Jefferson Union Lodge, No. 124, and has since 
been the only lodge of this order in the place. Tuscarora Lodge, 
No. 250, was formed at Antwerp, about 1846. Cassiopia Lodge, 
No. 291, formed at Plessis, April 13, 1847, and in December 
removed to Theresa. Wampanoag Lodge, No. 311, formed at 
Sackets Harbor, September, 1847. Wenona Lodge, No. 323, 
formed at Adams, October 18, 1847. Montcalm Lodge,lSo. 69, 
formed at Clayton, February 18, 1848. Tohopeka Lodge, No. 
63, formed at Carthage, in 1851. Collins Lodge, No. 421, formed 
at Belleville, February 5, 1852. Montezuma Lodge, No. 36, was 
formed at Champion. Montezuma Encampment , No. 56, 1. 0. 0. F., 
was instituted at Watertown, November, 19, 1837; J. J. Safford, 
Chief Patriarch; Sylvester Smith, H. P.; W'm. H. Sigoumey, 
S. VV.; John H. Smith, J. W.; Benj. Lewis, S.; Morris Livings- 
ton, T. The chief patriarchs have been J. J. Safford, C. G. 
Wright, J. L. Rowlison, B. F. Stillman, John Collins, W. 11. 
Trowbridge, Wm. A. Loomis, M. M. Reed, Frederick Emerson. 
The high priests have been S. Smith, J. L. Rowlison, C. H. 
Wright, Wm. A. Loomis, W. R. Trowbridge, W. W. Wright, 
M. M. Reed, F. Emerson, W. W. Wright. 



Sons of Temperance. 413 

Sons of Temperance.— About thirty divisions of this organiza- 
tion have existed in the county, many of which have ceased to 
exist, and from present appearances this order will soon give 
place to some other movement in the cause of temperance. In 
March, J851, there were 28 divisions, and 1,116 contributing 
members. Divisions have been established at the following 
places, in the order of their numbers. 

Northern Star, 90, December 20, 1850, at Three Mile Bay; 
Morning Star, 156, at Watertown; Adams, 124, at Adams, in 
1848 ; it soon went down and was succeeded by Cheerful Hope, 
166, which has also ceased. Occidental Star, 167, S. Rutland; 
Jefferson, 187, February 10, 1851, at Black River; Rising Sun, 
210, at Sackets Harbor, ceased December, 1S52; JEgis, 236, 
at Carthage; Antwerp, 21 A, September 19, 1850; Depauville, 
275, December, 28, 1849; Pine Grove, 280, at St. Lawrence 
(Cape Vincent); Meridian, 303, at Watertown; Mountain Wave, 
346, at Redwood; Brownville, 360; Annexed Star, 398, at 
Champion; Natural Bridge, 506; Kossuth, 519, at Theresa; 
Polar Star, 545, at Point Peninsula; Meridian Star, 546, at 
Cape Vincent; Chaumont, 547; Lafargeville, 556; Plessis, 
590; Rolling Billow, 630, at Stone Mills; Radiant Star, 631, 
at Evans' Mills; French Creek, 635; Elm Comers, 637, at 
Three Mile Bay; Olive, 642, at Woodville, April 1, 1850; 
Dexter, 665; Fellowship, 669, at Smithville. 

Daughters of Temperance have organized at Adams, and, it is 
believed, at one or two other places, but none now exist. 

Good Samaritans. Eagle Lodge, No. 47, was formed at Wood- 
ville, April 15, 1852. The office of W. C. has been held by 
G. A. Jenkins, S. T. Wood, H. D. Converse, John A. Rowe, H. 

D. Jenkins, C. C. Clark. Adams Lodge, No. 46, was formed a 
little earlier, and has become extinct. Cataract Lodge, No. — , 
formed at Watertown, of 17 charter members, February 22, 1853. 

Cadets of Temperance, have existed at several places in the 
county, but we have been unable to obtain definite information 
of them. 

Knights of Jericho. Chrystal Fountain Lodge, No. 50, of 
Theresa, was formed February 2, 1853, with Silas L. George, 

E. Johnson, Tho's L. Gale, Roswell C. Flower, C. E. Zwick, 
C. H. Helmer, Wm. Fayel, R. Hildreth, Lawrence Clark, H. 
Holdenhouse, A. G. Ruyther, A. P. Salisbury, L. C. Hungerford, 
Geo. W. Goodnough, Gilbert Townsend, G. W. Cornwell, David 
Barrup, Oscar Cornwell, Davis Ballard, Chas. W. Flemming, 
M. Prindle, Justin Kelsey, E. J. Pearce, and Joseph Fayel, first 
members. D. Ballard was elected first W. C, and after him 
Michael Prindle. Kama I^odge, No. 56, was instituted at Alex- 
andria Centre, September 7, 1853, and the first month numbered 
about thirty members. 

27 



414 Watertown Mechanics* Association. 

The Jefferson County Industrial Association, a joint stock 
company of 5000 shares, at $10 each, was formed in May 1843, 
at Watertown, having for its objects a union of labor and cap- 
ital after the plan of Fourrier. It at one time numbered neany 
400 persons, but after existing a little more than a year it was 
dissolved; the numbers having been reduced to less than 100. 
An establishment was formed two miles east of Watertown at 
Cold Brook, in which vicinity about 600 acres of land had been 
purchased, mechanic shops fitted up, and conveniences for fami- 
lies erected. Affairs were to be managed by a president, vice 
president, and twelve directors, and an account of labor, board, 
clothing &c, was to be kept with each. 

The Watertown Mechanics' Association was formed August 
13, 1844, by a committee consisting of two from each trade ap- 
pointed by a convention held the week previous. The objects 
of the association as set forth in their constitution, are the cul- 
tivation and improvement of the moral, social and intellectual fac- 
ulties, by diffusing information upon subjects connected with the 
mechanic arts, by exhibiting improvements, by discussing the 
principles of mechanism, collecting statistics, and in such other 
ways as might be deemed useful. Mechanics, artizans, and 
manufacturers might become members of the associations by sign- 
ing the constitution, and paying $1 in semi-annual payments. 
Fairs might be held at such times as might be appointed, and 
weekly discussions and debates were to be held. 

The following officers were elected at the first meeting; viz: 
"William H.Robinson, president; Gilbert Bradford, first vice pre- 
sident; W. Y. Buck, second vice president; Avery Thomas, re- 
cording secretary; George Martin, corresponding secretary; 
James H. Ryther, treasurer; John A. Haddock, collector; Lo- 
renzo Finney, O. L. Wheelock, C. E. Hubbard, John Jordan, 
Timothy Turner, managers; George Burr, A. Freeman, A. H. 
Burdick, commissioners finance. 

Mechanics' Mutual Protections were formed at Watertown, 
Brownville and Theresa, which were of short continuance. 



The Jefferson County Bank. 415 

CHAPTEE XL 

BANKS— CORPORATIONS. 

The earliest movement in the county towards a bank, may be 
traced back to the early part of 1807, when a petition was for- 
warded to the legislature, praying that that body would loan to the 
people of the county $150,000, on good landed security, in bills 
of credit, and that the same be made a legal tender in the pay- 
ment of debts. Mr. Kent, from the committee to whom this was 
referred, reported, .that the constitution of the United States 
prohibited the state governments from making any thing but 
gold and silver coin, a legal tender of debts, and therefore the 
prayer could not be granted*.* 

In 1816, concerted efforts were made for a bank, but the loca- 
tion prevented entire unity of action. 

The Jefferson County Bank was incorporated by an act 
passed April 17, 1816, on a petition from John Brown, Roswel 
Woodruff", Eliphalet Edmonds, David 1. Andrus, Ethel Bron- 
son, Jabez Foster, Egbert Ten Eyck, Hoel Lawrence, Frederick 
White, Abel Cole and others, to continue until January 1, 1S32, 
with a capital not exceeding $400,000, in shares of $50 each. 
Elisha Carnp,of Houndsfield, Jesse Hopkins, of Henderson, Eben- 
ezer Wood, of Ellisburgh, Jabez Foster, of Watertown, ('lark 
Allen, of Lorraine, Samuel C. Kennedy, of Rodman, Ethel Bion- 
son, of Rutland, John Durkee, of Champion, Thomas Brayton, of 
Wilna, Silvius Hoard, of Antwerp, Musgrove Evans, of Le Ray, 
John Paddock of Brownville, and Eliphalet Edmonds, of Adams, 
were appointed to apportion the stock and locate the site of 
the banking house. These met at Watertown, and after a 
prolonged and exciting strife between Watertown and Brown- 
ville, the latter, uniting with other interests, succeeded in getting 
it located at Adams, more from jealousy of Watertown, than 
with the hope or expectation of benefiting Adams. John Pad- 
dock was generally charged with producing this result. The 
first directors, elected June 20, 1817, were John Paddock, Hoel 
Lawrence, Ebenezer Wood, Clark Allen, David 1. Andrus, S. F. 
Hooker, Elisha Camp, Frederick White, David Hale, Samuel C. 
Kennedy, John Cowles, Eliphalet Edmonds and Joseph Sterling. 
The first president was J. Paddock. The bank went into opera- 
tion on a capital of $80,000, but in June, 1819, it failed. By 
an act of November 19, 1824, the bank was removed to Water- 
town and, April 29, 1829, the charter was extended to January 1, 

* Assembly Journal, 1807, p. 297. 



416 



Sachets Harbor Bank. 




Jefferson County Bank, Watertown. 



2854. The directors, by this act, were required to own at least 
$500 stock. The charter was farther amended April 14, 1830. 

May 19, 1836, the 
capital was in- 
creased from $80,- 
000 to $200,000, 
and commissioners 
appointed to re- 
ceive subscrip- 
tions in shares of 
ten dollars each. 
In 1837, an inef- 
fectual effort was 
made to get this 
act repealed. In 
1828 it became 
one of the safety 
fund banks, and 
its dividends since 
1830 have aver- 
aged ten per cent. 
Its presidents have been, John Paddock, 1816; Frederick White, 
to fill vacancy; Jabez Foster, 1817-19; Ethel Bronson, 1820-5; 
Jabez Foster, 1825-6; Perley Keyes, from 1S26-33; Micah 
Sterling, 1833-4; Orville Hungerford, 1834-45; Norris M. 
Woodruff, 1845-54. Cashiers, James Wood, 1816-20; O. 
Hungerford, 1820-33; Orville V. Brainard, 1833-54. On the 
21st of October, 1853, articles of association of a bank of the 
above name, were filed in the secretary's office, to take effect on 
the expiration of the charter, and continue about fifty years, 
with $400,000 capital, and the following directors: N. M. 
Woodruff, G. C. Sherman, R. Lansing, Eli Farwell, T. H. 
Camp, J. H. Fish, A. Ely, O. V. Brainard, William C. Pierre- 
pont, M. Coburn and D. D. Otis. 

A public meeting was held at Watertown, November 27th, 
1832, at which strong resolutions were passed in favor of the 
formation of a new bank, and a committee consisting of J. Fair- 
banks, N. M. Woodruff, L. Paddock, E. Ten Eyck, John Fay, L. 
Beebee, J. Sigourney, William Ruger, and L. G. Hoyt, were ap- 
pointed to draft a petition for a charter for an institution to be 
called the Watertown Bank. In this petition it was set forth 
that an increase of bank capital was necessary to meet the 
growing wants of the county. The natural advantages offered 
by the lake and St. Lawrence for commerce, and by Black River 
for manufactures, with the high susceptibility of the soil for 
agricultural improvement, were adduced in support of the ap- 



Associated Banks. 417 

plication. The measure failed of accomplishment, and a second 
bank was not established at Watertown until after the passage of 
the general banking law in 1838. Some of those, however, 
who took an active part in this movement, joined in establishing 
the Sackets Harbor Bank, which was incorporated April 28th, 
1834, with a capital of $200,000, in shares of $50 each, and a 
limitation of existence to January 1st, 1865. Thomas Loomis, 
Jesse Smith, Daniel Ward well, Thomas J. Angel, Azariah 
Walton, Joseph Sheldon, Woodbridge C. George, Henry H. 
Cotfeen, and Noadiah Hubbard, were named commissioners for 
receiving subscriptions for stock, and the corporation had the 
usual powers, immunities, and restrictions of such institutions. 
Its affairs were to be managed by 13 directors, elected annually 
on the 2d Tuesday of June, by ballot, who were to choose one of 
their number president. The charter of the Sackets Harbor Bank 
came before the legislature for repeal in April, 1837, upon a com- 
plaint that its officers had received and paid out certain checks 
of a business firm, contrary to the provision of the law prohibit- 
ing the circulation of bills less than $'5. The bill for repeal 
having passed the assembly April 7th, large public meetings 
were held at Watertown, Brownville, Sacketts Harbor and 
elsewhere, calling upon the senate to prevent its passage. It 
was apprehended that the sudden withdrawal of so large a sum 
from the circulation of the county, would seriously derange its 
business, and the bank and its officers were defended against the 
calumnies that had been circulated. These efforts proved unavail- 
ing, and the bill for repeal became a law May 12th, 1S3S, the 
directors being appointed trustees, until others were appointed to 
settle its affairs.* On the 17th of April, 1837, the charter was 
restored,! and, March 25th, 1852, an act was passed authorizing 
a change of its place of business to Buffalo, upon the concur- 
rence of two-thirds of its directors. This measure had been 
several years contemplated, and repeated applications had been 
made to the legislature, which had been defeated. The act was 
at length procured without the knowledge of many citizens who 
had previously opposed it. 

Associated Banks. — A meeting of citizens of the county was 
held in December, 1838, for the purpose of organizing a bank 
under the general law. O, Hungerford, L. Paddock, N. M. 
Woodruff, W. H. Angel, and H. D. Sewall, were appointed to 
arrange the articles of association. The Bank of Watertoicn, 
was accordingly formed, commencing operations January 26, 
1839, with $ 100,000 capital, the first president being L. Pad- 

* Affidavits and statements on the subject occur in Assembly Documents 
1S38, numbers 243, 245, 296, 297, 298. 

t Report of committee with statements. Assembly Documents 1838 v 
No. 278. ' 



418 Individual Banks. 

dock, and the first cashier William H. .Angel. The presidents 
have been L. Paddock, Willard Ives, John L. Goldsmid, and T. 
C. Chittenden. It is at present principally owned by William 
H. Angel, and on the 25th of November 1853, its capital was 
reported at $47,779. 

The Watertown Bank and Loan Company commenced ope- 
ration January 20, 1839, with a capital of $100,000, in equal 
shares, by G. C. Sherman and Noadiah Hubbard. 

The Merchants'' Exchange Bank, organized January, 1849, 
was designed to transact a business of loan and deposit, without 
the issue of its own bills, by using specie and the bills of other 
banks. All but one per cent of its capital was held by G. C. 
Sherman, but the bank was never got in efficient operation and 
has been merged in the last. 

Black River Bank, was opened May 25, 1844, with $100,000 
capital, of which L. Paddock owned nine tenths, the remainder 
being held by Oscar and Edwin L. Paddock. 

Union Bank, at Watertown, was opened August 18, 1822, 
with a capital of $100,000, the principal parties on the articles 
of association in the order of their interest, being Henry Keep, 
George S. Goodale, N. M. Woodruff, Walter N. Woodruff, 
Abner Baker, who subscribed $2000 and upwards, Washington 
Genet, Orin C. Utley, L. Paddock, Daniel Lee, J. H. Dutton, and 
E. Q. Sewell subscribed $1000 each, and others to less sums. 

Individual Banks. — Wooster Sherman's Bank, Watertown, 
opened January 8, 1812. 

Henry Keep's Bank, Watertown, opened September 28, 1847, 
discontinued. 

Mechanics' Bank, Watertown, by Henry Keep, begun Sep- 
tember 17, 1851, has no office for discount and deposit. Cap- 
ital $20,000. 

Citizens' Bank, established by Keep at Watertown, August 1, 
1S50, a'terwards removed to Ogdensburgh, and in August, 1852, 
at Fulton, Oswego County. 

Frontier Bank, established by Keep at Watertown. Removed 
in the spring of 1851, to Potsdam. 

Hungerford Bank, by Solon D. Hungerford, opened at Adams 
October 31, 1845. Articles of association under the general 
law were filed September 17, 1853, with the same name, and 
the capital increased from $50,000 to $125,000. The first 
directors under the new form were S. D. Hungerford, pre- 
sident, M. R. Patrick, vice president, Jeremiah Griswold, and 
Philander Smith, of Adams, Alonzo Bradner, of New York, 
Samuel Wardwell, of Rome, Roswell Kinney, of Mannsville, 
George Gates, of Rodman, and N. M. Wardwell, of Pulaski, di- 
rectors; George W. Bonds, cashier. 



Biographical Notices. 419 

State Bank at Sachets Harbor, owned by E. B. Camp, capital 
850,000. Begun business May 17, 1852. 

Bank of Carthage, owned by Hiram McCollom, begun July 
17, 1852. Capital, November 25, 1853, $'18,600. 

In January, 1S3S, an attempt was made to establish an asso- 
ciated bank at Carthage, with $100,000 capital. On the 7th 
of January, 1839, $30,000 had been subscribed, and on the 22d 
of February, an election of officers occurred, but nothing further 
was done. 

The Jefferson County Mutual Insurance Company was formed 
by a special act, March 8, 1836, by which Alpheus S. Greene, 
Jason Fairbanks, Orville Hungerford, George C. Sherman, Eli 
Farwell, Norris M. Woodruff, Thomas Loomis,IsaacH. Bronson, 
John S afford, Edmond Kirby, William Boom, Joel W r ood worth, 
and Joseph Sheldon and their associates, were incorporated 
during a period of twenty years. The directors named in the 
act met on the 17th of March, elected Norris M. Woodruff, 
president; A. S. Greene, vice president,- Robert Lansing, secre- 
tary; N. M. Woodruff, A. S. Greene, J. Fairbanks, G. C. Sher- 
man and E. Farwell, executive committee. The affairs of this 
company have been closed several years. 

The Agricultural Mutual Insurance Company, at Evans' 
Mills, completed its organization March 12, 1853, under the 
general law, with a capital of $100,000. On the 13th of Octo- 
ber, they numbered between 700 and 800 policies, on farm 
property only. No losses had been sustained, and a cash fund 
of $3000 had been acquired, after paying expenses. The first 
officers were Alden Adams, president; Isaac Munson, vice presi- 
dent; W. P. Babcock, Wolcott Steele, Joseph Fayel, Evelin 
F. Carter and Ira Beaman, directors; L. Paddock, treasurer; 
U. A. Wright, secretary; Earl B. Fowler, general agent. 



CHAPTEK XII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 



The following biographical notices embrace but a part of the 
subjects which we would have gladly included, had the data 
been accessible. There is, perhaps, no duty more delicate to 
the historian, than to speak of those who have but recently 
acted upon the stage of life; whose associates are still living; 
whose acts yet exist in their consequences, and whose claim upon 



420 Major General Brown. 

the regard of the future can not properly be determined until 
time shall have settled the merits of actions by existing in their 
results. We should have regarded our labor as unfinished, had 
we failed to record our tribute of respect to the memories of 
those who took a leading part in the business of the county 
during the first half century of its existence, and who laid the 
foundations of society, organized the institutions, and planned 
the improvements which have given prosperity to the present, 
and promise infinite advantages to the future. With societies, as 
with individuals, character is, to a great degree, formed in early 
life, or, to use the poetic figure; 

" Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined," 

and we shall always find those, in every community, who have 
impressed their own characters upon public movements, and 
given direction to the current that time will only confirm and 
strengthen. In this chapter we shall include only those who are 
deceased; and must acknowledge the imperfection of several ar- 
ticles, from want of authentic materials. 

Amos Benedict, one of the earliest lawyers at Watertown, 
was a native of Middlebury, Ct. graduated at Yale College in 
18U0, studied law with Tappan Reeve, of Litchfield, and settled 
in Watertown in 1807. He was the second district attorney, a 
leading member of the bar, and died about the period of the 
war. 

Ethel Bronson, a native of Connecticut, removed to Rutland 
in 1805, and assumed the agency of that town and a part of Hen- 
derson, of which his brother had become the purchaser. He 
was thrice elected to the legislature, and held for many years 
the office of judge of the county court. At the time of his death, 
in 1825, he was president of the Jefferson County Bank. He 
was not ambitious for public office; but in those qualities that 
make a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a valued friend, he 
was preeminent. He was kind and liberal, almost to a fault; 
yet public spirited, and enterprising, and possessing a cha- 
racter marked with integrity and probity; he was beloved by his 
friends, and respected by all who knew him. 

Major General Jacob Brown was born in Falls Township, 
Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the banks of the Delaware, and 
withinsightof the city of Trenton, on the 9th of May, 1775, and 
was the fourth descendant of George Brown, an English immi- 
grant, who had settled in the province two years before the 
arrival of Penn. The descent from this emigrant was by Sam- 
uel, John, and Samuel, Brown, all of them Quakers, and by pro- 
fession, farmers. His father had married a daughter of Joseph 
Wright, a celebrated Quaker preacher, and she possessed a degree 



Major General Brown. 421 

of intelligence and strength of mind seldom equaled; qualities 
which were developed in her son at an early period, and shone con- 
spicuously through life. 

The family consisted of John (afterwards Judge Brown of 
Brownville), Jacob, Joseph, Mary (Mrs. Newland, of Fishkill, 
deceased), Benjamin, Samuel (Major Brown, formerly of Brown- 
ville), Hannah (Mrs. B. Skinner, still living), William, Abi (Mrs. 
M. Evans) and Joseph. Samuel Brown, his father, possessed a 
considerable estate, and gave his family the benefit of such in- 
struction as the vicinity afforded, and for one or two seasons, 
Jacob, with his brother John, attended an academy at Trenton, 
and his education was completed at the winter's fire, at home, 
where he kept a small school for instructing the younger mem- 
bers of the family. 

An unfortunate speculation had deprived his father of the 
means of affording him a finished education, and, at the age of 
sixteen, he found himself reduced to the necessity of looking out 
for himself, and he even conceived the idea of retrieving the for- 
tunes of his family, and from that moment set himself assiduous- 
ly to the work.* From eighteen to twenty-one, he was employed 
to teach a large school in Crosswicks, New Jersey, and having 
qualified himself for the duties of a land surveyor, he spent one 
year in the Miami country, in Ohio, to which section his father had 
conceived the idea of removing, but he returned in 1798, and was 
again induced to take charge of a Quaker school in New York. 
It being a period of political excitement, he frequently took a 
part in these discussions, and in one of them, he formed an ac- 
quaintance with Gouverneur Morris, which subsequently ripened 
into a warm friendship. He, about the same time, became ac- 
quainted with Rodolph Tillier, the agent of the Chassanis compa- 
ny, who made with him a journey to his father's house, and con- 
cluded a bargain with S. Brown for the purchase of a large tract 
at two dollars per acre. In February, 1799, having given up his 
school, he started for his future home, the location of which had 
not been definitely fixed, and arrived at the French Settlement, 
at the high falls on Black River, between which place and Utica 
he made several journeys during the winter, and brought in a 
quantity of provisions preparatory to his final removal to a loca- 
tion he had decided upon forming, at the head of navigation of 
Black River. In March, as soon as the river was clear of ice, 
he launched a boat upon its swollen and angry waters, and 
floated down to the Long Falls. From thence, in company with 
Chambers, Thomas Ward and a few hired men, he took the 
route of the French Road, then nearly opened, and when he sup- 
posed they had gone far enough, struck off towards the river, which 

♦National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans, part xx. 



422 Major General Brown. 

he happened to reach at the present village of Brownville. He 
was here so struck with the unexpected advantages offered by 
the fall at the mouth of the Philomel Creek, then swollen by 
spring floods, that he resolved to make his stand here, where the 
water-power appeared sufficient for every purpose required, and 
the river, with some improvements below, could be navigated 
by boats. 

On the 27th of May, he was joined by his father's family, 
who came by the tedious navigation of the Mohawk, Oneida 
Lake, Oswego, and Lake Ontario. He commenced at once clear- 
ing lands, and the next year erecting mills, &c, the details of 
which are given in our history of Brownville. In September and 
October, 1799, he, with his brother Samuel, surveyed the townships 
of Hague and Cambray, in St. Lawrence County, and until the 
opening of a land office at Le Raysville, in 3807, he acted as 
the agent of Mr. Le Ray, in the settlement of his lands in 
Brownville and adjacent towns. As the opening of roads is one 
of the first and most direct methods of promoting new settle- 
ments, this subject early engaged his attention, and he was 
mainly instrumental in procuring the construction of the state 
roads, one in 1801, from Redfield by way of Adams, and one 
from Utica by the Black River valley. Of both of these he was 
appointed a commissioner for locating and opening, and he 
succeeded in getting them both to terminate at his location, in 
Brownville, where himself, his father and brothers, had opened a 
store, built mills, commenced the manufacture of potash, which 
found a ready market in Kingston and Montreal, and made 
extensive clearings for raising grain. In 1804, the question of 
forming one or more new counties from Oneida, became the 
absorbing theme, and a convention was held at Denmark, Nov. 
20, 1804, to decide upon the application, at which most of the 
delegates are said to have gone prepared to vote for one county, 
but from the influence of Mr. Brown, and Gen. Martin, of 
Martinsburgh, were induced to apply for the erection of two new 
counties. In locating the county seat, the most active efforts 
were made in each county, Martinsburgh and Lowville being the 
rivals in Lewis, and Watertown and Brownville in Jefferson. 
Mr. Brown was the principal advocate of the latter, but the mass 
of settlement was then in the southern towns, and the portion 
north of Black River was known to be low, level, and (in a state 
of nature) much of it swampy. The settlements that had been 
begun at that early day, at Perch River, Chaumont, and on the 
St. Lawrence, were visited by severe sickness, and the idea was 
entertained, or at least held forth to the commissioners who 
located the site, that it could never be inhabited. Mr. Brown 
next endeavored to procure the location on the north bank of the 



Major General Brown. 42 1 

river, near Watertown, and made liberal offers of land, for {he 
public use, but the perseverance and intrigues of Mr. Coffeen 
and others, succeeded in fixing the site at its present location. 

After the opening of the land office at Le Raysville, Mr. 
Brown continued for two or three years devoted to his private 
affairs, and meanwhile received unsolicited, commissions of cap- 
tain, and of colonel of the 108th regiment of militia. His pro- 
motion in the line of military life, is said to have arisen from 
his avowed aversion to frequent and expensive military parades 
in time of peace, calling off the inhabitants from their labors in 
the fields, and encouraging habits of intemperance which in those 
days were too frequently the accompaniment of such gatherings. 
His views on the subject of militia organizations, approached 
more nearly to our present system; and in selecting him for of- 
fice, the people were convinced, that while he omitted nothing 
conducive to the public safety, he would cause them no needless 
expense of time and money for parades. In his public and pri- 
vate conduct, and daily life, they saw him in possession of sa- 
gacity and intelligence, that led them to place confidence in his 
resources, should emergencies call for their exercise, and the in- 
tegrity of his private life convinced them, that the public trusts 
with which he might be honored, would be faithfully preserved. 
Our foreign relations at that time foreboded collision, and the 
cloud of war that darkened the political horizon, and filled the 
timid with alarms, gave a well-grounded expectation that a cri- 
sis was approaching, although it was uncertain which of the two 
great powers of Europe would declare against us, and the parties 
that divided our people, were far from being harmonious in 
opinions of the relative expediency of hostilities with either. 
The opinion of Mr. Brown on this subject may be gathered from 
the following letter to the governor written upon the receipt of 
his commission as Brigadier General of militia. 

Brownville, July 27, 1811. 
Dear Sir, — " Having received my commission as General, for which 
I thank you, I have now to solicit your ExelJency, that, in case of war, 
your Excellency will order me upon dut}'. It shall he my humble en- 
deavor not to disappoint the just expectations of my friends. Situated 
on the confines of the British Empire, I have viewed with some solici- 
tude the state of our relations with that power, and this solicitude induces 
me thus to address your Excellency. I am not one of those that believe 
a war with Great Britain is the best thing that can happen to my country. 
I believe that a war with the tyrant of the continent, some time past, 
would have been produced, and the honor of this nation preserved in an 
amicable adjustment of difficulties with the man-stealers of the ocean. 
As we are now surrounded by fogs and whirlpools, none, save God and 
the pilot, can say which course it is best to steer. But to my humble 
vision, it appears, that we must fight a battle with both belligerents, or 
cease to prate about national honor, and national sovereignty, and na- 
tional dignity. Your Excellency will be so good as to remember, that 1 



424 Major General Brown. 

am the frontier General in the state of New York, Canadawards. I am 
serious in my application to be upon duty, if there is war, and your 
friendship will lay me under great obligations. Yours truly, 

His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. Jacob Brown." 

On the declaration of war, Gen. Brown was appointed, by Gov. 
Tompkins, to the command of the militia on the frontier, from Os- 
wego to St. Regis, and spent the summer in organizing and direct- 
ing the military movements at Sackets Harbor, Cape Vincent, and 
various points along the St. Lawrence below ; nor did this sea- 
son pass without incident to call into exercise those traits of de- 
cision, energy, and tact, which were signally displayed at a later 
period in the war. His first duty, was to quiet the alarm which 
the first tidings of hostilities occasioned, for which purpose, he 
traversed most of the settlements of the county, held little meet- 
ings of the inhabitants, and, by his representations and advice, 
succeeded, to a great degree, in restoring confidence, and pro- 
curing the adoption of measures calculated to be effectual in 
case of urgent need. Late in the season, he was succeeded by 
Brigadier General Dodge, and ordered to assume the command 
Ogdensburgh, to which place he repaired by water. He had 
scarcely taken up his quarters there, when he was attacked on 
the 4th of October, by the enemy, but succeeded in repelling 
them in a manner that conferred much credit upon himself and 
his troops. The following letter to Governor Tompkins, relates 
to this event: 

Headquarters, Ogdensburgh, Octoher 7, 1812. 
Sir: Since I wrote you by express, I have had a sort of action with 
the people across the water. The enemy appear to feel very angry with 
me since my arrival; they have thrown many hundred cannon ball 
at this place, and I have collected a sufficient number of them to pay 
more than the damage the place has sustained. I have no powder to 
sport with and for considerations that you will understand, I refused 
their fire at long shot ; this appeared to annoy them greatly, and I could 
perceive by the aid of an excellent glass of Mr. Parish that in the after- 
noon of the 3d that they were collecting into Prescott from all quarters. 
They huzza'd in the course of the previous firing very loud and fre- 
quently; as this was a business that cost nothing, I thought proper to 
cause my force to huzza by way of stimulus and as a sort of substitute 
for powder. On the morning of the 4th, between 9 and 10, the enemy in 
very considerable force marched to their boats, twenty-five in number, 
and after forming an open column and making a little circuit up the 
river bore directly down upon us with two gun boats each carrying a nine 
pounder leading the van. I had refused their fire across the river and I 
was desirous that there should be no firing on this occasion until the 
enemy came close hug upon us. The enemy were playing the whole 
time with great rapidity upon us with their three cannon. The few 
guns I had, were placed along the river so as most effectually to annoy 
the enemy when we should deem it proper to open upon them. I sus- 
tained the fire as long as I prudently could with troops who had never 
seen service, but not so long as would have been proper with men in- 
nured to action. The fire was then opened upon them with all the skill 



Major General Brown. 425 

and quickness of which the men at the guns were capable. Our fire in 
a very few minutes threw them into very great confusion and caused 
them to retire in haste. Notwithstanding the great number of balls thrown 
into this place 1 have the pleasure to inform you that as yet I have nei- 
ther killed or wounded. The enemy were so near, that our grape flew 
in every direction among them and I learn from several deserters that 
have come to me since this little affair, that the enemy had four men 
killed on board their boats and a number wounded, and that there were 
during the action two men mortally wounded at their battery by the 
bursting of one of their cannon. These deserters also state that Colonel 
Lethbridge commanded the expedition in person ; that he was supported 
by Colonel Breckenridge, that there were in the hoats between 700 and 
800 men, and that there remained at Prescott about 300 men to man the 
guns, &c. You will perceive how unpleasantly I am situated with a 
force not to exceed 400 strong at this important point, almost destitute of 
powder, and without a single artillerist. I had written so far when I re- 
ceived a line from my brother announcing your arrival at Fort Tompkins 
and a request from you that I would meet you at that place. As this is 
not an order from your Excellency I shall not come. I deem it my duty 
to remain at this port for the present, and let me entreat your Excellency 
to come here and see for yourself. I am confident that if your Excel- 
lency would come here a plan could he hit upon that would within 
twenty days secure all the public stores of the enemy from Lake Ontario 
to Montreal or procure their destruction. I am solicitous in the extreme 
to see you, and that you should see for yourself the situation of this 
country and I do know that if you do now come here, great good will 
result to the service from your journey. I have written your Excellency 
very particularly by express to Albany. This letter you have missed. 
Respectfully yours, Jacob Brown. 

His Excellency the Governor. 

The plan which he proposed, was to take Prescott, and by in- 
tercepting the communications of the St. Lawrence and the 
Ottawa, to deprive Upper Canada of aid, and capture it in detail. 
His scheme was not adopted, and in the event, the expenditure 
of vast sums and much blood on the Canadian frontier effected 
nothing. On the 29th of May, 1813, General Brown was hastily 
summoned to defend Sackets Harbor, from an attack which the 
enemy planned against that place, in retaliation of our descent 
upon Little York, and the successful result of his plans in this 
engagement, led to his promotion as a Major General in the reg- 
ular service, and opened the way to that career of victory which 
in this and the following year, distinguished the American armies 
under his command on the Niagara frontier. Such was the 
lustre that his name acquired in these campaigns, that upon the 
formation of the peace establishment, he was retained in com- 
mand of the northern division of the army, that of the south 
being under Andrew Jackson. The details of the military move- 
ments of this frontier will be given in the following chapter; 
those of the Niagara, belong to our general history. 

A series of resolutions, was passed by Congress, November 3, 
1814, the first of which was as follows: — Resolved by the Senate 



426 Major General Brown. 

and House of Representatives of the United States of America, 
in Congress assembled, That the thanks of Congress be and 
they are hereby presented to Major General Brown, and through 
him to the officers and men of the regular army, and of the 
militia under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct 
in the successive battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, in 
Upper Canada, in which British veteran troops were beaten and 
repulsed by equal or inferior numbers, and that the President of 
the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck 
emblematical of these triumphs and presented to Major General 
Brown. 

Similar testimonials were voted to Generals Scott, Ripley, 
Miller, Porter, Gaines, and Macomb. 

This medal bears his profile, after a painting by Sully, upon 
one side, and upon the reverse it commemorates the battles of 
Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie. The New r York Legislature, 
passed a series of resolutions, in December, 1814, expressing 
their approbation and presenting a sword, to the several com- 
manding officers in the late campaigns, of which those relating 
to General Brown occasioned the following correspondence: 

New York, 24 December, 1814. 

" Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you the unanimous resolution of 
the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York, expressive of the 
exalted idea which they entertain of the very eminent services which 
you have tendered your country during the last campaign. As a tes- 
timony of the gratitude of the state, I am charged to present you a sword, 
a duty which I shall hereafter perform with feelings of the liveliest grat- 
ification. 

I am directed by the Senate and Assembly, to communicate to you in 
the most emphatic manner, the high sense which they entertain of your 
patriotism, talents, and conduct; and to request you to convey their thanks 
to the officers and soldiers of that gallant army which you led so often to 
victory. Accept, sir, an assurance of my high estimation of your gal- 
lantry and talents, and of my great personal consideration and esteem." 

Major General Broivn. Daniel D. Tompkins. 

To this the following reply was made: 

Brownville, January 1, 1815. 

"Sir: I have the satisfaction to acknowledge the receipt of your ex- 
cellency's letter of the 25th ult., enclosing the resolutions of the Senate 
and Assembly of the State of New York, approving my conduct and 
that of the officers and soldiers of the gallant army of Niagara. Every 
officer, and every man, entitled to participate in the honor conferred, 
will hold in great estimation the approbation of the representatives of 
this enlightened and high minded state. 

I do not know how to express my sense of the obligation I feel under 
to your excellency, for the very favorable manner in which you have been 
pleased to notice my conduct. As I am proud of the approbation of 
those I esteem, so 1 shall always hold in high estimation the good opin- 
ion of your excellency, and will endeavor so to demean myself as to 
merit the continuance of your regard. 



Major General Brown. A'21 

I pray you, sir, to accept the assurance of the very high respect and 
consideration, with which I have the honor to remain, 

Your excellency's most obedient, humble servant, 
His Excellency Daniel D. Tompkins. Jacob Brown. 

I On the 4th of February, 1815, the corporation of the city 
; of New York presented him the freedom of the city, in a gold 
box, and directed a full length painting to be procured, and 
placed in the City Hall.- It is from this painting, that our por- 
trait of General Brown, which faces the title page of this 
volume, was engraved. 

In December, 1816, General Brown experienced a severe 
bereavement, in the death of a son, named Gouverneur M., who 
was drowned while skating on the ice near Dexter. This lad 
is said to have shown an intelligence and sagacity far beyond 
his years, which naturally gained him the affection of those 
around him, and his father had especially regarded these early 
manifestations of talent with feelings known only to the doting 
parent. It may well be imagined that the heavy tidings gave a 
deep and lasting wound to his hopes, and desolated the heart 
beyond the power of consolation, or reach of sympathy. 

In the discharge of his official duties, General Brown removed 
to Washington in 1821, where he continued to reside until his 
death, which occurred February 24, 1828, from the effect of a 
disease contracted at Fort Erie. For some time previous, his 
physical powers had been impaired by a paralytic stroke. His 
death was announced to the army by an order ^of the secretary 
of war; and the funeral ceremonies were performed with all the 
formality and dignity, that his exalted rank required. 

A monument has been erected by congress over his grave, in 
Washington, having for its device a broken column, and upon 
the east side of the base the following inscription: 

SACRED, 

to the memory of Major General Brown. 

By birth, by education, by principle, 

devoted to peace. 

In defence of his country, 

a warrior. 

To her service he dedicated his life. 

Wounds received in her cause, abridged his days. 

In reviewing the life of General Brown, we can not but be 
struck with the evidences of integrity, talent and ability 
which he evinced in the various stations of public life which he 
was called to fill. 

In the course of a minute and detailed inquiry in Jefferson 
County, while collecting the materials of this volume, the author 
has had innumerable opportunities of obtaining independent 
private opinions from those with whom he had been associated 



428 Dr. Ithamer B. Crowe. 

in various capacities; and he has yet to meet with the first per- 
son who had the ability, or the disposition, to detract in the 
smallest degree, from his character for patriotism, sagacity, en- 
ergy and ability, as a military man, or of integrity, honor and 
probity, as a citizen. 

Although General Brown had not received a military educa- 
tion, and was at first ignorant of the discipline and usages of the 
service, he soon acquired a familiarity with these details, and 
with a happy facility, availed himself of the experience of those 
around him, and met the emergencies arising from errors with a 
coolness that proved him the possessor of a sound mind, and an 
unusual share of practical common sense, without which the most 
rigid professional training will fail to make a successful com- 
mander. 

Nor was the tenor of his private life less engaging than his 
public character. He was a devoted son and brother, an affec- 
tionate husband and parent, an obliging neighbor, a warm-hearted 
friend, and an enterprising public citizen, foremost in every 
enterprise that had for its object the improvement of his village, 
town, or county, and liberal in his patronage and encourage- 
ment of objects of public utility. For several years he was an 
active member and officer of the county agricultural society, and 
from him the county received the most efficient aid for the open- 
ing of roads, and the planning of improvements, having for 
their object the general prosperity. 

Peleg Burchard, born in Norwich, Conn., in 1790, removed 
in early life to Utica, and in 1809 settled in Watertown, as a 
merchant, from whence he removed to Brownville, where he 
failed in business. In 1828, he was elected county clerk, and 
held that office twelve years, a sufficient evidence of the confi- 
dence and respect of the public. His success in being repeated- 
ly elected to this lucrative office, may be mainly ascribed to his 
personal popularity, gained by a kind and obliging manner, 
which won the regard of whoever was brought in contact with 
him. In 1843, he was appointed by Tyler, collector of Cape 
Vincent, which office he held during this and the next presiden- 
tial term. He died at Cape Vincent, February 2, 1851, of a 
bronchial disease, and was interred at Watertown. He was a 
brother of Jedediah Burchard, the celebrated evangelist. 

Dr. Ithamer B. Crawe. — The eminent attainments of this 
person in the natural sciences, and especially in botany and min- 
eralogy which he pursued with peculiar ardor and success, en- 
title him to particular notice. He was born in Enfield, June 
11, 3792, and in 1802 removed with his parents to Madison 
County, New York. 

In youth he evinced a passion for the study and collection of 
plants, and his health having failed in 1811, he devoted for two 



Robert B. Doxtater. 429 

or three years, the most of his time to these pursuits. In 1817, 
he made two fishing voyages to Newfoundland, from which he 
returned with health restored, and in March, 1818, commenced 
study with Dr. Hastings, of Clinton, with whom he remained 
three years. In the session of 1821—2 he attended lectures at 
the New York University, and in April 1822, he received a 
county license to practice medicine. In the same year he re- 
moved to Watertown, where he engaged in the practice of his 
profession. He subsequently removed to Ogdensburgh, and 
about the year 1836, was employed to superintend some lead 
mining operations in Lubec, Nova Scotia. This business, not 
meeting the expectations of its projectors, he returned, and af- 
ter several years' residence at Pontiac, in Michigan, he again 
settled in Watertown, still cherishing his fondness for botanical 
and mineralogical researches, and devoting the intervals allowed 
by his arduous professional business to their pursuit. Having 
been requested by Professor Gray, of Cambridge, to procure for 
him some plants that occur on Perch Lake, he visited that local- 
ity, June 3, 1847, where, with two others, he ventured out in a 
leaky boat which, when several rods from shore, filled with wa- 
ter. Being an excellent swimmer, he started to return, but 
being encumbered with clothing, he drowned before reaching 
the shore. The members of the medical profession, and the 
masonic fraternity, of which he was a zealous member, testified 
their respect for his character by resolutions that were published 
in the county papers. A sketch of his life was also published 
in Silliman's Journal.* 

Timothy Dewey, a native of New England, for many years a 
civil engineer, and resident of New York, but for about fifteen 
years previous to his death a citizen of this county, died at the 
residence of his son, William Dewey, in Lyme, November J9, 
1853. He constructed the first New York Gas Works, which 
conferred much professional eminence, and in all the relations of 
life, proved himself honest, high minded, and exemplary. 

Robert B. Doxtater, was a native of Adams, where he w r as 
educated, and in early life engaged in jnerchandize with much 
success. In 1849, he removed to Wa4er4ewft, and commenced 
trade with Messrs. Brayton & HowJand, on an extensive scale, 
and at the completion of the Watertown and Rome Rail Road, 
was appointed superintendent. This office he filled with dis- 
tinguished ability, until early in 1853, when he resigned, and 
was soon appointed superintendent of the Michigan Southern 
and Northern Indiana Rail Road. He had but just entered up- 
on this important trust, when he was stricken with apoplexy, and 

•American Journal of Science, second series, iv., 300. 

28 



430 Alpheus S. Greene. 

died at Laporte, Indiana, May 17, 1853, aged 39. His remains 
"were brought back to Adams and interred. In energy, ability, 
tact, skill, and integrity, Mr. Doxtater bad few superiors. 

Richard M. Esselstyn, was born May 12, 1778, at Clave- 
rack, then Albany County, and at the age of twelve removed to 
Massachusetts, where he resided six years and returned. In 1801, 
he accompanied Messrs. Smith and Delamater to Chaumont, as 
surveyor, and subsequently engaged in trade with his brother 
John B. at Cape Vincent, of which place he was almost the first 
settler. On the occurrence of war, he removed to Watertown, 
and was appointed county clerk, the duties of which he per- 
formed with much ability. He died of yellow fever, at Utica, 
October 2, 1822. The board of supervisors of which he was a 
member, at their meeting soon after, passed a series of resolu- 
tions expressive of their respect to his memory. 

Jabez Foster, was born August 1, 1777, in Lebanon, Connecti- 
cut, from whence he removed to Lewis County, and at an early pe- 
riod settled as a merchant, at first in Burrville, and about 1807 
or 1808 in Watertown Village, where, in company with O. 
Hungerford, he transacted a large business during the war. For 
several years he held the office of county judge, and in every 
station of life acquired the esteem of those around him, by the 
kindness of his manner, and probity of character. He died at 
Monroe, Michigan, December 10, 1847, of congestion of the lungs. 

Marianus W. Gilbert, was long a citizen and merchant of 
Watertown, held for many years the office of clerk of the board 
of supervisors, village trustee, and supervisor, and was much 
esteemed for his public spirit and moral worth. He died at Wa- 
tertown, June 7, 1839, aged 53. 

John L. Goldsmid, was born near London, November, 1789, of 
wealthy parents, and in youth entered the British army, with a 
commission as 2d lieutenant of cavalry, from which he became 
lieutenant colonel. He served in Spain during several years, 
and afterwards in the East Indies, during which service he was 
several times wounded, and was necessarily exposed to many 
hardships. After spending several years in traveling, and expe- 
riencing the opposite extremes of fortune in financial operations, 
he came to New York in 1829, and afterwards settled on a farm 
in Champion, from whence he removed to Watertown. He there 
engaged in business that made him generally known, as his 
intelligence and amiable character made him universally res- 
pected. He died at Watertown, December 8, 1853, aged 64. 

Alpheus S. Greene, a native of Rhode Island, removed to 
Perch River, in Brownville, in 1812, as a physician, where he 
resided eighteen years, during which time he was repeatedly 
elected to the assembly, and was appointed county judge. In 
1829, he was appointed post master at Watertown, which office 



Jesse Hopkins. 431 

he held eleven years, and in 1846, was chosen a delegate to 
constitutional convention. He died in the lunatic asylum, at 
Utica (of which he had been an inmate two years), February 
25, 1851, aged 64. 

Dr. Samuel Guthrie, of Sackets Harbor, was a practical che- 
mist of much reputation, and is noted for being one of the three 
independent discoverers of chloroform, which was simultaneously 
obtained by Soubeiran, in France, and Liebeg, in Germany, al- 
though its anaesthetic properties were not known till long after. 
He is said to have been the inventor and first manufacturer of 
percussion pills, which, with "caps" filled with an analagous 
compound, have almost entirely superseded the old flint locks of 
fire arms. In his experiments he nearly lost his life from acci- 
dental explosions. He died October 19, 1848, at Sackets Harbor. 

Joskph Hawkins, a native of Connecticut, settled in Henderson, 
about 18 10, where he continued to reside till his death. He took 
a prominent part in the business of this section of the county, and 
after the war became somewhat extensively engaged in the com- 
merce of the lakes. In 1828, he was elected to congress, Mr. 
Perley Keyes being his opponent; and, while in office, was in- 
strumental in procuring a reform in the Jaws that, applied to the 
navigation of the lakes, of which his personal acquaintance had 
led him to see the necessity. This act was passed March 2, 1831, 
which abolished custom house fees, and substituted salaries; 
placed British vessels on an equal footing with American, as 
related to the amount of duties, and fixed the tarirFof goods from 
the Canadas at no higher rates than were charged at the colonial 
ports. The act required the registry of vessels employed in the 
caasting or carrying trade, and belonging in the United States. 
As the law had previously existed, it had operated as a premium 
for small vessels, and a prohibition for large ones, and led to 
various modes of evasion, among which was the building of large 
vessels, and flooring up, so that the measurement, by the custom 
house rules, would be much less than the actual capacity. Mr. 
Hawkins held for several years the office of county judge, and 
adorned the society in which he lived, by his amiable and gentle- 
manly deportment. He died in Henderson, April 20, 1832, aged 
50. His friends £. Camp, and E. G. Merrick, have placed over 
his grave a tablet, with the following inscription: 

" The navigation of our lakes was relieved from grievous 

custom house fees by his zealous efforts as member of congress, 

in 1830." 

Jesse Hopkins, a son of Joseph Hopkins, was born in Water- 
bury, Conn., in 1766. His father was a prominent citizen, and 
repeatedly honored with the public confidence, who for thirty 
years held the office of judge of probates, and died while in the 



432 Jesse Hopkins. 

discbarge of his official duties. Jesse Hopkins received a|libe- 
ral education, and early evinced a versatility of talent which 
fitted him for any pursuit to which he might apply. At the age 
of seventeen, on the visit of Generals Washington and La Fayette, 
at the residence of his father, La Fayette was so pleased with the 
youth, that he made him his aid during a series of military ope- 
rations in that quarter. His youth prevented him from enlisting 
in the army, and his love of country from accepting the invita- 
tion of La Fayette to visit France, and engage in a lucrative pur- 
suit. He says of himself in a volume which he published in 
1828:* 

" I was in childhood at the commencement of the revolution- 
ary war, and at its close had just arrived at that age which enti- 
tled me to shoulder my musket — an age alive to all the interest- 
ing events of the day. Being a son of a revolutionary patriot, 
who was a member of the state legislature, I had an opportunity 
of acquiring considerable political information, for many years, 
as well as inhaling that spirit of patriotism which was charac- 
teristic of the times. * * * The same spirit which actuated 
our ancestors, in acquiring the privileges we enjoy, is as essen- 
tial to their continuance as it was to their attainment, therefore 
youth of this country can not be too often reminded of the hard- 
ships and trials of various kinds, which their forefathers endured, 
and through which they are now enjoying the richest temporal 
blessings Heaven has in store for man." 

Mr. Hopkins often wrote poetry with much taste and fluency, 
several pieces of which still exist; but although meritorious, he 
never allowed them to go beyond the sacred precincts of the 
family circle. He first engaged in manufactures, among which 
was that of silver-plated shoe buikles, which soon came into 
general use. In 1803, he married at Hartford, but his wife 
dying soon after, he spent five years in speculating in the West 
Indies. After his return, he married his cousin (a grand-daughter 
of Samuel Hopkins, D. D., the celebrated divine of Newport, 
R. I.), who is still living in Vermont. 

In 1805, he was appointed an agent for Henderson; where, 
after various success, and, as he claimed, ill usage from Mr. Hen- 
derson, he was ultimately unfortunate. In the settlement of that 
town he evinced great public spirit, and devotion to the settlers, 
and the public generally, and contributed largely from his own 
means towards measures tending to the general welfare. Per- 
haps his greatest error arose from the tenacity with which he 
adhered to his federal creed, and opposed any military, or naval 
operations in Henderson Harbor, which would have given that 
place an importance that it will now scarcely attain. This 

* Patriot's Manual, embracing stirring; and revolutionary topics. 






I 



/ 




t^xf 



Orville Hungerford. 435 

sacrifice of interest to principle was characteristic of the man. 
He erected a fine seat at the head of the bay, commanding a 
a prospect of unrivaled beauty; and during all the reverses of an 
eventful life he was characterized by a remarkable ambition, and 
energy of character, which never seemed daunted or lessened, 
even by the infirmities of age. He died at Henderson, in the 
71st year of his age. 

Dyer Huntington, the second son of William Huntington, an 
early and prominent citizen of Watertown, was born in Ches- 
hire County, N. H. In January, 1804. he removed to Watertown 
with his father, being then 18 years of age. He died in August, 
1851. He was an active and efficient member of society; fore- 
most in measures of public utility, and exemplary in the varied 
relations of life which he sustained. 

Orville Hungerford was born in Farmington, October 29, 
1790. He removed with his father's family to Oneida County, 
and in the spring of 1804, to Watertown. He soon after com- 
menced a clerkship in Judge Foster's store, at Burrville, and in 
1807 or 1808 removed with him to Watertown, and afterwards 
became a partner under the firm of Foster & Hungerford. This 
firm was extensively engaged in supplying, upon contract, pro- 
visions to the United States Army at Sackets Harbor during the 
war. In 1815, he commenced mercantile business by himself, 
and continued in trade till 1842. In 1842, he was elected to 
congress, and represented the 19th district in our national le- 
gislature four years. At an early period in the history of Jeffer- 
son County Bank, he became a stockholder, and was concerned 
in its management for many years, as cashier and president. In 
1847, he was nominated by the democratic party for the office of 
comptroller, but was defeated, the vote being as follows: 

Jefferson County. State. 

For O. Hungerford, 4,463. For O Hungerford, 136,027; 

For Millard Fillmore, 3,893. For Millard Fillmore, 174,756. 
For Lewis Tappan, 489. For Lewis Tappan, 10,408. 

The result of this election was doubtless produced by the dif- 
ficulties that at that time distracted the democratic party in the 
state. 

In the promotion of the rail road from Rome to Cape Vincent, 
Mr. Hungerford engaged with great ardor, laboring with a zeal 
and energy that knew no weariness or discouragement, and the 
citizens of Jefferson County will ever haye reason to be grateful to 
his memory for the efficiency of his efforts. He held the first office 
of president of the company at the time of his death, which 
occurred April 6, 1851, after a short but severe illness of twelve 
days. 



436 Perky Keyes. 

His character has thus been summed up by the editor of the 
J\'ew York Reformer. 

" As a man of business he was prompt, decided, active, and 
correct. His judgment was clear and sound, and he possessed 
the faculty of obtaining for his plans the entire confidence of his 
business associates. If in his private affairs he was exact, he 
was rigidly honest. No deceit or guile ever found utterance, 
but manful uprightness, characterized all his transactions. As a 
politician, he was conservative, shrewd, and calculating; a man 
of but few words, but many thoughts. The democratic party 
achieved many victories under his leadership, and were beaten 
but seldom. His plans were carefully laid and vigorously exe- 
cuted, his influence was exercised without effort, and he con- 
trolled without being felt. * * * In his private character, 
he was exemplary, generous and friendly. In his public bestow- 
ments, munificent. Institutions of learning received liberal en- 
dowments from his generosity." 

While in congress, he was appointed at the first session of 
his first term on the committee of Revolutionary Pensions, and 
on Accounts, and the business tact, and ability which he displayed, 
raised him high in the estimation of his associates, and at the next 
session, he was placed on that most important of committees, 
that of Ways and Means, where he fully sustained the reputation 
he had acquired, that of being a thorough business man. In all 
the domestic and social relations of his life, his deportment was 
highly exemplary, and at his death, meetings of the citizens of 
Watertown, of directors of the Jefferson County Bank, of the 
rail road company, and the associations of which he was a mem- 
ber were held, to testify their sorrow for his death and to extend 
their sympathies to his bereaved family. 

Perley Keyes, was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, Feb- 
ruary 24, 1774. At the age of fifteen he left the paternal roof, 
and with his elder brother, Frederick, repaired to Saratoga 
County, New York, and engaged in lumbering on the Norlh 
River. After some time he returned to New Hampshire, was 
married November 20, 1796, and in 1799 left Acworth for Mont- 
real, from whence he proceeded to Kingston, and thence to 
Rutland, where he settled and resided several years. In the fall 
of 1809, having been appointed sheriff, he removed to Water- 
town, where he afterwards lived. Being almost without the 
advantages of early education, but endowed with a native 
strength of mind and clearness of judgment, he soon acquired 
the confidence of the republican party, of which he was the 
ardent supporter, and held successively the offices of magistrate, 
judge of the county court, sheriff, collector of customs at Sackets 
Harbor; was twice elected to the state senate, and in 1813 and 



Colonel Edmund Kirhy. 439 

in 1814 was a member of the council of appointment. His 
active political course made him obnoxious to the opposite party, 
who, from his influence among his own, named him the king; 
but among his political friends he was warmly esteemed. The 
estimate they formed of his character, will be seen in the follow- 
ing extract from a letter from Silas Wright, Jr., A. C Flagg, 
E. Croswell and William L. Marcy, to Martin Van Buren, dated 
Albany, March 15, 1830, recommending him for the office of 
Governor of Wisconsin Territory, then about to be erected: 

" The political activity and firmness of Judge Keyes, for a long series 
of years, and indeed during his whole life of political action, has heen 
only equaled by the remarkable clearness and force of his native mind. 
In this state, there are few men whose services for his friends in our 
heated and frequent conflicts, are to be remembered with more gratitude 
or less of regret than his. We are fully sensible that by his undeviating 
attachment to his party and his friends, he has incurred to a marked de- 
gree the hostility of our political enemies, and that all his private as well 
as public acts have been the subject of scrutiny as persecuting as it has 
been unprincipled. But the best evidence which could be offered in 
his favor, is the fact, that during and in the midst of the most bitter of 
his political persecutions, he has been repeatedly returned to our legisla- 
ture, and twice to the highest branch of it. and from a district where the 
best republican candidates had often failed of their election. * * We 
do not urge him as a man learned in books, but when we say what your 
own observation has often proved to you, that he has never been a 
member of our legislature without gaining an influence equal to that of 
any fellow member, and that he has at the expiration of every term left 
that body with a public character for talents and sagacity perceptibly 
raised, and with a hold upon the feelings of his political friends decided- 
ly strengthened, we can not fear accusations of want of capacity for the 
office we ask for him. We know him to be a plain, unassuming farmer, 
with a mere country education. But when with these limited advanta- 
ges, he has proved himself more than equal to his associates in public 
life, the inference would seem to follow, that he can not be so profoundly 
ignorant as to disgrace those who repose confidence in him. He is in 
truth a plain, unlearned man, but with a sound, strong mind, and in the 
practical exercise of an unusual share of common sense. These are 
qualifications without which learning is of little use, and with which a 
moderate share of learning may make a very respectable and a very use- 
ful man." 

An apopletic stroke prevented his applying for this office. 
He died at Watertown, May 13, 1834. 

Edmund Kirby was a son of Ephraim Kirby, an officer in the 
revolution, a member of the order of Cincinnati, and afterwards 
Judge of the Supreme Court of Connecticut. He was born at 
Litchfield, Conn., April 18, 1794, and entered the army in 
1812 as lieutenant, and served during the war upon the northern 
and western frontiers. From 1815 to 1820, he was stationed at 
Detroit, and in the latter year he joined Major General Brown 
at Brownville, as an aid-de-camp. From 1821 to 1823, he dis- 



440 Colonel Edmund Kirby. 

charged the duties of adjutant general at Washington, and in 
1824, was appointed to the pay department, and again took post 
at Brownville. From 1832 to 1840, he was engaged in the 
Black Hawk, Creek and Seminole wars, in which he was actively 
employed, as well in the fulfillment of his duty, as the exercise of 
humanity to the sick and wounded, for whom he voluntarily en- 
countered many dangers. During the Mexican War, he was 
chief of the pay department, and disbursed many millions of dol- 
lars. A volunteer aid to General Taylor at the storming of 
Monterey, and in like capacity to General Scott at Vera Cruz, 
Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Chepultepec and the Mex- 
ican Capital, he was ever distinguished for courage, bravery, 
and devotion to his country's cause. 

Returning with health impaired, from hardships of a war in a 
tropical climate, he was received by the citizens of Jefferson 
County with demonstrations of regard, as sincere as they were 
deserved, but the seeds of disease had been too deeply planted in 
his constitution, and he died at Avon Springs, New York, whither 
he had resorted for relief, on the 20th of August, 1849. His 
remains were brought back to Brownville and interred in the 
village cemetery with military honors, and a plain but durable 
shaft of Quincy granite, has been placed to his memory. It is 
about eight feet high, and bears the following inscription: 

West Side — "Col. Edmund Kirby , Born in Litchfield, Conn., 
April 18, 1846, died at Avon Springs, JV*. Y., of disease con- 
tracted during the Mexican War." 

North Side—" War of 1812, Black Hawk War." 

South Side — " Creek War, Mexican War." 

In the various relations of private life, Col. Kirby evinced those 
traits that elevate and adorn the human character, and the citizens 
of Jefferson County, will long remember with gratitude the aid 
and encouragement which they received from him in promoting 
an interest in agriculture, manufactures, and internal improve- 
ments, to which he was zealously devoted during many years of 
residence among them. The Agricultural Society received his 
cordial support, and he was one of the founders and an extensive 
owner of the manufacturing village of Dexter. He married a 
daughter of Major General Brown, and subsequently purchased 
his family estate in the village of Brownville, which is still 
owned by his heirs. 

The executive committee of the Agricultural Society have re- 
corded the following tribute to his memory.* 

" It is with feelings of deep regret and sorrow that we drop 
any names from our roll of brotherhood. One however has fallen 
from our midst the present season. Col. Edmund Kirby is one 

"Transactions of the State Agricultural Society, 1849, p. S07. 



J. he Ray de Chaumonl. 441 

of those honored names that should not be forgotten. In 1843 
he was elected president of this society, and ever felt a deep in- 
terest in its advancement. His private virtues are written in 
our hearts; his public deeds will bear the scrutiny of all who 
shall peruse the pages of their country's history. We are justly 
proud of him as a member of this fraternity, as our countryman, 
and as a member of our community. He was one of us, and no 
interest of ours was of small moment to his benevolent heart. As 
regards our present prosperity, like the patriach of old, he desired 
to see our day; he saw it and was glai'.. He has fallen full 
of honors, and lamented especially by those who shared the ho- 
nor of his acquaintance and friendship. And fellow citizens 
when we have labored long and faithfully for the advancement 
of the interests of our country, our common country, may we die 
as he died — at peace with God and all the world." 

James Donatien Le Ray De Chaumont was born November 
13, 1760, at Chaumont, on the Loire, between Blois and Tours. 
He was educated partly in his family by a preceptress, and partly 
at the celebrated college of Juilly, near Paris. When he left 
this, he found himself in the circles of Paris, and of the court, 
which the birth, and official places of his lather gave him a right 
to enter. He was seduced by neither; and his views were early 
bent towards serious subjects, by the course which his father pur- 
sued with regard to American affairs. The commissioners sent 
by the united colonies, could not be received openly by the French 
Court. M. de Chaumont, Sen., espousing warmly the cause of 
American Independence, determined to abandon public life (al- 
though at that moment his friend and neighbor in the country, 
the Due de Choiseul, offered him a seat in the ministry which he 
was about forming), in order, as a private individual, to serve as 
intermediary between the government and the commissioners. He 
lent to them a house situated in his park at Passy, and Franklin 
particularly occupied it several years. From that house were writ- 
ten all his letters dated Passy. This created a great and agreeable 
intimacy between the American Philosopher and M. de Chau- 
mont's family. Young M. de C. improved this to learn English 
and acquaint himself with American affairs. His father gave 
more substantial aid- to the Americans. He sent a cargo of 
powder to Boston to the care of the French consul general, Mr. 
Holker, to whom he wrote to claim nothing, if the Americans 
were not successful. He afterwards sent large equipments to 
La Fayette's army, and in various ways consecrated a great part 
of his large fortune to the American cause. He equipped ships 
to join Paul Jones' squadron, and was appointed by the French 
and American Governments to superintend the equipment and 
management of the combined fleet. His son went with him to 



442 /. he Ray de Chaumont. 

L'Orient on that business, and seconded him throughout the ex- 
pedition. 

• But these high advances required the settlement of accounts, 
which the different currencies of the states, the depreciation of 
the^paper money, &c, rendered difficult and complicated. M. 
de Chaumont, then (1785) only 25 years of age, saw that this 
business required personal attention. He obtained, with great diffi- 
culty, from his father, leave to go to America. He tore himself from 
the seductions of the most elegant court of Europe, and even 
from the prospect of a brilliant marriage, and sailed for America. 
Franklin, whose friendship and esteem he had gained, in a high 
degree, gave him warm letters. All his energy, and early-dis- 
played talents, however, could not master so many impediments. 
Year after year, he was detained by new difficulties. Franklin 
helped him with all his power. It was not, however, until 1790 
that he could obtain a settlement, and he arrived in France just 
in time to save his father from the most painful consequences of 
these long delays. 

During this stay in America, M. de Chaumont became ac- 
quainted with the first men there, and particularly with two, who 
had a great influence upon his subsequent course. One was 
Count de La Forest, consul general of France; the other, Gouver- 
neur Morris. They both spoke to him with great warmth of the 
great speculations, which might be made, in wild lands, in the 
state of New York. He bought, with the former, a small tract 
in Otsego County, where he built the first saw mill, and where 
he sent, as his agent, the celebrated Judge Cooper, father of the 
great writer. With Gouverneur Morris he made large purchases 
in the state of New York. In Yi 20, having lately married a 
daughter of Charles Coxe, Esq., of New Jersey, he returned to 
France with his wife. He had previously been naturalized. After 
having been most painfully engaged in endeavoring to arrange the 
difficulties in which his father had been drawn, he was appointed 
to go to Algiers,* to negotiate a treaty of peace and commerce 
with the dey; but having learned in Switzerland, that the life of 
his father was threatened, he returned, post haste, to Paris. He 
proceeded without stopping to the sitting of the committee, and 
there, by his firmness, and even by a bold threat to the president, 
he obtained on the instant the liberty of his father, whom they 
had put in jail as an emigre, although he had never quitted 
his chateau. 

In 1799, M. de Chaumont accompanied his wife to Hamburgh, 
who returned to America, on account of her health, with her 
two youngest children, in company of Gouverneur Morris, late 

* Spark's Life of Gouverneur Morris, ii, 402. His instructions were dated 
32, 1794. 




(Lp ' Mr-tus^t^ ^Z 




J. Le Ray de Chaumont. 445 

ambassador. The cure of Chaumont was of the party; he had 
refused the oath prescribed by the revolutionists, and M. de Chau- 
mont, in order to save him, and to provide for his support, had 
appointed him to an agency in America. He remained there 
several years, and became the object of the veneration and love 
of the numerous persons with whom he had relations. 

In 1802, M. de Chaumont sailed from Havre, for America, in 
company with William Short, late minister to France. He went 
upon his lands in Jefferson County, where settlements were begun 
by the agency of Jacob Brown, who so highly distinguished him- 
self afterwards. He returned in 1804, and left France again in 
May, 1807, with his oldest son, who, from that time, assisted him 
in the management of his business. He had, the year before, sent 
a French doctor, of considerable ability and experience, whom he 
had engaged, for several years, to reside with him on his lands, and 
had confided to him the choice of the particular spot. This was 
very difficult and delicate, from the large range open to him, and 
from the conflicting interests and interference of the different 
persons residing on various parts of the tract. He acquitted 
himself, however, of this trust with w'onderful foresight and skill, 
and chose a retired spot in the town of Le Ray. 

M. de Chaumont went, in 1808, to make a final settlement in 
the house built by the doctor, and entered it before it was finished, 
and with the logs of the clearing yet burning at his door. There 
he spent the greater part of the time till the spring of 1810, 
when he left for France with his family, leaving only his oldest 
son to manage his affairs with an agent, Moss Kent, brother of 
the chancellor. In France he busied himself with the settlement 
of his lands. He sent French gentlemen of talents, to establish 
various factories. The events of 1815 caused him to sell a large 
tract of land to Joseph Buonaparte, with whom he had long been 
acquainted; and smaller ones to Count Real, the due de Vincence 
Marshal Grouchy, &c. During his stay in France, he had the 
misfortune of losing his wife, whose health had always been 
poor, and had been kept up only by the indefatigable care and 
attentions of M. de Chaumont. 

In 1812, the board of internal navigation — Gouverneur Morris 
and De Witt Clinton, president and vice president — appointed 
M. Le Ray de Chaumont, to negotiate in Europe a loan of six 
millions of dollars, for the contemplated Erie Canal. Mr. Le 
Ray went to Switzerland, where the declaration of war by the 
United States, against England, deterred the capitalists. He 
then sent, to feel the Belgian bankers, his friend Mr. J. B. de 
Launay, whom the commissioners had sent out to assist Mr. Le 
Ray, and also to procure in England the services of the eminent 
engineer, Weston. The report having been favorable, Mr. Le 



446 /• Le Ray de Chaumont. 

Ray went to Belgium. The hopes of peace, however, were 
vanishing. The reelection of Mr. Madison made the continuance 
of the war certain, and the bankers gave a definitive refusal. 

In 1816, he married his daughter to a French gentleman of 
great distinction, the Marquis de Gouvello,- and they both came 
with him to America, where they spent a year, and returned to 
France. M. de Chaumont now resided mostly on his lands, 
spending a part of the year in New York. He went on with in- 
creased force with the settlement of his lands and the improve- 
ment of the country, building saw mills, making roads, carrying 
on his iron works, &c. 

In 1832, M. de Chaumont returned to France, leaving to settle 
his business, his son, who joined him next year. He made a last 
voyage to America in 1836, spending the summer there, and 
returned to France, where he was called by his daughter settled 
there, and by two sisters who had no children. Surrounded and 
cherished by his family, he spent his time partly in Paris, partly 
in the country or in traveling, his mind still bent towards Ameri- 
ca, and seizing every opportunity of being useful to his adopted 
country. At the age of SO, full of health and vigor, his mind 
unimpaired, he was suddenly taken with an inflammation on 
the chest, which caused his death in five days — December 31, 
1840. 

M. Le Ray de Chaumont had a strong mind, a sound judg- 
ment, great penetration of men and things, a warm and affec- 
tionate heart, a noble soul: he was guided through life by those 
hio-h and chivalrous feelings of integrity, which were so shrewd- 
ly discovered in him by Robert Morris, when, at the age of 25, 
he was chosen by him as umpire between himself and M. de 
Chaumont, Sen., in a contested business. He never meddled 
actively in politics, which, added to the other traits of his cha- 
racter, made him respected and beloved by men of all parties, 
both in France and in America. He received warm proofs of these 
feelings at various times, and particularly from the citizens of 
Jefferson County, during the last years of his stay among them. 
The counties of Jefferson and Lewis owe much of their prosperity 
to his liberal and enlightened management. 

He greatly improved the breed of sheep, by bringing Merinos 
from his flock in France, which was picked in the celebrated 
sheep fold of Rambouillet, where the original Spanish breed had 
been greatly meliorated. 

He also paid great attention to improving the breed of horses, 
and labored to diffuse a taste for the rearing of ornamental 
plants, to promote the culture of the vine in gardens, and of 
hemp and the mulberry. The care which he bestowed in the se- 
lection and adorning of his villa at Le Raysville, which for many 



Hart Massey. 447 

years was the seat of a refined hospitality bespeaking the afflu- 
ent and accomplished French gentleman, prove him to have 
possessed on these matters a judicious and correct taste. His 
household, including agents, clerks, surveyors, and employees, 
formed of itself a small community. 

He will long be gratefully remembered by the citizens of Jef- 
ferson county, for his public spirited improvements, his dignified 
and courteous manner, and the sympathy he never failed to ex- 
press in whatever concerned the public welfare. 

Hart Massey, the third son of Deacon Jonathan Massey, and 
one of a family of eight sons and three daughters, was born in 
Salem, N. H., December 5, 1771. In 1792, he removed with his 
father's family to Windsor, Vt., and in 1795 married and settled 
in a new town called Saltash, now Lyme, an elevated and sterile 
forest, from whence, in 1800, he emigrated to Watertown, where 
he purchased ninety acres of land fronting on Washington street, 
and to which he soon added another one hundred acres adjoin- 
ing, and on the ground of the present railroad depot. His first 
dwelling stood on the site of the Arcade, and at an early day he 
sold, in lots, the part of his land fronting on Washington street. 
The first religious meetings in the village were held at his house, 
on the Sabbath next after the arrival of his family, in March, 
1801. On the 13th of July, 3808, he was appointed colonel 
and inspector, having previously held the office of quarter mas- 
ter in Colonel Abijah Putnam's regiment, and adjutant to Colo- 
nel Gurshon Tuttle. He held the office of collector of the port 
and district of Sackets Harbor, during the embargo and non- 
intercourse period, and the war, when the whole frontier of the 
country was to be watched, and in the exercise of this trust was 
subjected to peculiar trials and difficulties, from the opposition of 
those, who, from the violence of party spirit, deemed it merito- 
rious to evade the laws, and embarrass the operations of govern- 
ment, in the prosecution of measures to which they were op- 
posed.* 

At the close of his services as collector, he retired to private 
life, but always evinced a lively interest in whatever tended to 
the improvement of the town and county, and was particularly 
active and useful in founding and supporting the county Agri- 
cultural Society, of which he was for several years the president. 
In educational and religious matters, he was also an efficient 
actor. On several occasions he was appointed to minor county 
offices, and in 1820, was made a county judge. In these various 
capacities, he won the respect and esteem of the public, and 
proved himself the possessor of a sound, discriminating and 

*The official papers of Judge Massey have been bound, and placed in tha 
State Library, at Albany. 



448 Hezekiah B. Pierrepont. 

vigorous mind. His death occurred near the close of March, 
1853. He was temperate and regular in his habits, and in the 
observance of religous duties, and till the day of his death main- 
tained a patriarchal supervision of his family of nine children. 

John Paddock, an elder brother of Loveland Paddock, Esq., 
the well known banker of Watertown, settled in that place in 
8105, as a merchant, in company with William Smith, still living. 
Theirs, was the pioneer mercantile enterprise in the village, 
and much the most extensive that had then been undertaken in the 
county. In 1810, he removed to Brownville, and engaged largely 
in trade, with several partners, and during tw r o years of the war 
was sheriff. Upon the establishment of a bank, he labored 
strenously in favor of its location at Brownville, but failing in 
this, concurred in the selection of Adams as its seat. He died in 
December, 1816, at Brownville. 

Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont, who was largely concerned in 
the early land sales of Macomb's Purchase, and an extensive 
proprietor in this county, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, 
November 3, 1768, and was a descendant of the Rev. James 
Pierrepont, the first settled minister in that colony. The town 
plat, apportioned to his ancestor at the first settlement of the 
place, has been retained and occupied by the family ever since. 
Being ot Norman descent, his name is French. 

The subject of this notice commenced his studies with a view 
to a profession, but, being of an active and business turn of mind, 
he left Yale College before graduating, and entered the office of 
his uncle, Isaac Beers, Esq., and in 1790 went to New York, 
where, after spending a few months in the custom house, he 
associated himself with Messrs. Watson & Greenleaf, and as 
their agent removed to Philadelphia, where success attended his 
business. In 1793, he entered into partnership with W T illiam 
Leffinwell, and engaged in European trade, in the pursuit of 
which he went to France. The restrictions upon trade and the 
liability to seizure, consequent upon the war between France 
and England, led to his abandonment of trade with France, and 
to his embarking in that with India and China, which countries 
he visited in his own ship, named The Confederacy. On his 
return from India, his ship was boarded by a French privateer, 
taken possession of, and carried to France, w T here she was con- 
demned and sold, contrary to our treaty stipulations and the laws 
of nations. Our government, in its treaty with France, assumed 
this claim and many similar ones, known as Claims for French 
spoliations, prior to 1800, for which satisfaction has never yet 
been given, though congress has been appealed to, during fifty 
years, and has admitted their justice, by twenty-one reports in 
their favor. While in Paris, Mr. Pierrepont was a witness of the 



V 



\ 



448 

vig< 

18 
ol 
t; 







' 



■ch, 
the 



a 

c 
i i tr. 









- 
■ 






; 

; nes 
The town 

nt - r 






■ 
i s 



their favor, v* 



1 



Augustus Socket. 451 

violent excesses of the French Revolution. He subsequently- 
spent two years in England, and traveled on the continent. After 
an absence of seven years, he returned to New York, and married 
Anna Maria, daughter of William Constable. He the same year 
retired from commerce, and purchased his estate on Brooklyn 
Heights, at a time when Brooklyn was a small village, and con- 
tained but twenty-six freeholders. Here he established a factory 
of gin> which was attended with great success, and the article he 
manufactured attained a high reputation. But upon the death 
of Mr. Constable he became so much engaged as his executor, 
in the management of the extensive tracts of land of his estate, 
in this and the neighboring counties, that he abandoned his fac- 
tory and gave his entire attention to the settlement and improve- 
ment of these lands and of others, belonging to himself, in the 
towns of Pierrepont, Stockholm and Louisville, in St. Lawrence 
County. 

He afterwards made large additions to his lands by purchases 
from the Constable estate and others, and became the owner of 
about half a million of acres. He annually, from the year 
1803, till the time of his death, made a tour of these lands in the 
summer, and laid out and made many roads, turnpikes, and ex- 
tensive settlements. Some incidents connected with his visits 
to this county, are related in the diary of James Constable, extracts 
from which we have inserted in our account of Ellisburgh, which 
town has since been inherited by his son William C, who had 
charge of his lands in the counties of Oswego and Jefferson, while 
his son Henry E. took charge of those in Lewis, St. Lawrence, 
and Franklin. Mr. Pierrepont was distinguished for great energy 
and decision of character, and for his comprehensive and sound 
judgment. He anticipated at an early day the destined growth 
of our country, and the consequent appreciation of real estate, 
and perseveringly adhered to his judgment, through the periods 
of war, and the various fluctuations we experienced during the 
first third of this century, and lived to see his hopeful views fully 
realized. 

Augustus Sacket, the pioneer of Sackets Harbor, was born in 
the city of New York, November 10, 1769, where he received 
his education, and acquired the profession of law. In 1801, 
having purchased a tract in Houndsfield, he came on and began 
the first settlement at that place, and commenced its improvement 
with much energy. Upon the formation of a collection district, 
he was appointed the first collector, and at the organization of 
the county court was made first judge. In 1809, having sold 
his property in this county, he removed to Jamaica, L. I., from 
whence, in 1812, he went to Meadville, Pa., having there pur- 
chased 300,000 acres of land. He soon returned to New York city, 



452 George White. 

and in 1820 he went to Rutherford County, N. C, having be- 
come interested in a large tract of land in that state. By a 
subsequent transaction he became interested in the islands of the 
St. Lawrence, and returned to Sackets Harbor, and in 1827 re- 
moved to Newburgh. In these varied changes and transactions 
in land speculations, he was ultimately very unfortunate. He 
died at Albany, April 29, 1827, of a sudden sickness, while on 
his way to this county. 

Micah Sterling, was born in Lyme, Ct, November 5, 1784, 
entered Yale College in 1800, and graduated in 1804. He was 
a classmate of John C. Calhoun, and the friendship there 
formed lasted through life. After attending a course of law lec- 
tures in Litchfield, Ct., he studied law with Judge Williams, of 
Utica, and after residing a year in Adams, removed about 1809 
to Watertown, where he resided till his death. In 1821, he was 
elected to congress, and in 1836 to the state senate. He died 
April 11, 1844, of scarlet fever, the same day with Egbert Ten 
Eyck. The directors of the Jefferson County Bank, of whom he 
had been one, and the members of the bar, passed resolutions 
expressing their respect for his memory. His character is thus 
summed up by the writer of an obituary notice: 

" Of the public character of Mr. Sterling, the journals of con- 
gress and the senate, bear faithful testimony. Possessing talents 
of a high order, a mind well disciplined by education and reflec- 
tion, eminently industrious and persevering, energetic, patriotic, 
and liberal, his career, as a public man, was no less brilliant and 
honorable, than useful to the public, which it was his greatest 
glory to serve. But few men have passed through more trying 
political scenes; and but few, like him, could better command 
the respect of his opponents. In the private relations of life, 
the character of Mr. Sterling was most exemplary. Habitually 
dignified in his manners, he insensibly won the respect of all 
with whom he associated." 

Egbert Ten Eyck was born April 18, 1779, at Schodack, 
Rensselaer Co., N. Y.; was educated at Williams College, and 
studied law at Albany. At an early day, he settled in Cham- 
pion, and soon after at Watertown. In 1822, he was member 
of the Constitutional Convention, and in 1823 was elected to 
congress. He was five years first judge of the county court, and 
for a long time secretary of the agricultural society, of which he 
was an active and useful member. He died, April 11, 1844, at 
Watertown. 

George White, was born in Hatfield, Mass., Oct 10, 1775, 
and was a son of Simeon White. At 18, he removed to Tren- 
ton, where he married, and in 1800 to Rutland, where he resided 
till his death, March 9, 1853. On the 25th of March, 1814, he 



Benjamin Wright. 453 

was appointed a major of the 76th regiment of Infantry, and in 
1823—5, was member of assembly. For several years, he was 
the agent of Rutland. 

Benjamin Wright. — Although the subject of this notice never 
resided in the county, yet his intimate connection with its sur- 
veys and agencies, entitle him to a place in the history of the 
county. 

They were fortunate, who were approaching manhood when 
the federal government was organized. It was a time to inspire 
youthful genius, and cherish a bold and manly enterprise. New 
ami fertile regions were to be explored; laws were to be made; 
and a mighty influence was to be exercised by those who should 
lead in these great works of civilization. Enlightened Europe 
shed its lustre over the new world, and indicated the true paths 
to national greatness and individual prosperity. The United 
States opened the fairest field that ever invited the cultivation 
of virtuous men. And among those who seized the occasion 
and have reared to themselves lasting monuments by their public 
services, a conspicuous place will be reserved for the name of 
Benjamin Wright, the chief engineer of the Erie Canal, and one 
of the originators of the first official act in relation to this splendid 
work. 

He was born in the town of Wethersfield, Conn., October 
10th, 1770. 

From his early childhood, young Wright manifested an unusual 
degree of interest in the studies which relate to surveying and 
mensuration, stimulated, no doubt, by the example of Washing- 
ton, who had laid the foundation of his fortune and his fame, by 
his early enterprise and industry as a surveyor of new lands. At 
the age of sixteen, he found the means of gratifying his peculiar 
taste and extending his knowledge of his favorite studies. He 
was sent to live with an uncle at Plymouth, in Litchfield County, 
where he had access to ihe best books and instruments which 
could then be obtained by country surveyors. Along with his 
growing knowledge of the surveyor's art, he imbibed the spirit of 
western emigration, which was then beginning to carry the hardy 
sons of New England into the fertile valley of the Mohawk, and 
the productive regions of the Genesee. Great inducements were 
held out to young men, qualified to survey lands and make up the 
contents of title deeds. His spirit was imparted to his father's 
family, prompting them to leave their home in Wethersfield, and 
plant themselves near Fort Stanwix, now called Rome, in Oneida 
County. The part of the town where they established themselves, 
still retains the name of Wright's settlement. 

Fort Stanwix was then the western border of civilization, the 
very frontier settlement of New York. It was a small clearing, 
29 



454 Benjamin Wright. 

in the midst of a dense and wide-spread forest, far remote from 
any other white inhabitants. The only roads were the remains 
of a military road, opened during the revolutionary war, the 
paths of the hunter, the surveyor, or the natives of the forest. In 
1789, the subject of our sketch, then in his nineteenth year, 
having packed up all the books, maps and instruments he had 
been able to purchase, set off, to join his father, who had a little 
preceded him. For a short time, Mr. Wright assisted his father 
and brothers in clearing a field and rearing a log cabin; but his 
knowledge of the surveyor's art soon became known to the set- 
tlers, and he began to find employment in his favorite work. 
The original proprietors of the soil, in his immediate neighbor- 
hood, had caused the lands to be laid out in lots of five hundred 
acres. But these dimensions exceeded the ability of the newly 
arriving settlers; they rarely purchased more than a half or a 
fourth of one of these lots; so that the surveyor was to be em- 
ployed as often as a new-comer made his appearance in the set- 
tlement. 

By means of these surveys, and access to such maps and 
descriptions as he could obtain, he became possessed of valuable 
knowledge relating to the general features and comparative value 
as to soil, timber and water power, of extensive tracts of coun- 
try around Fort Stanwix. He now gave up all his time to his 
studies, except when in the field; he procured from abroad the 
best books, maps, and instruments; and by patient toil over 
the slate and the drawing boards, he embodied his daily observa- 
tions in accurate topographical maps and descriptions. All 
parties acquiesced in the correctness of his surveys. His de- 
scriptions and estimates became authorities in all questions of 
boundaries; and he found abundant occupation. From the year 
1792 to 1796, he had laid out, into farms, five hundred thousand 
acres, in the county of Oneida. 

• From this period to 1801, he was employed in surveying the 
central and northern counties of this state — that part known as 
Macomb's Purchase — and considerable portions of Franklin and 
Jefferson counties. This was a period of great fatigue and 
hardship. For weeks in succession, his parties pitched their tents 
in the trackless forests, far from the habitations of white men, — 
the form of the savage the only one encountered by day, and 
the fierce wolf and panther hovering around them by night, kept 
at bay only by their circling camp fires. With steady and 
indomitable industry he pursued his way, deterred by no difficul- 
ties, when in the performance of his engagements. These severe 
labors might seem unfriendly to scientific pursuits; but in truth 
they were not so. He was acquiring that extensive topographi- 
cal knowledge and habit of observation, which he was enabled, 



Benjamin Wright. 455 

in his subsequent life, to turn to such great benefit to his adopted 
state. 

In the year 1798, he paid a visit to the home of his youth, 
and married the daughter of the Rev. Simon Waterman, pastor 
of the church at Plymouth, Litchfield County. Returning to 
Fort Stanwix, Mr. Wright took up his residence in the imme- 
diate vicinity of the fort, in what is now the village of Rome. 
Here he became the agent for the sale of the lands of many of 
the large proprietors, for whom he had made such extensive 
surveys; and the heirs of these great estates bear a uniform 
testimony to the ability and fidelity with which he fulfilled his 
trust. These agencies did not, however, prevent him taking an 
active part in the affairs of the county in which he lived. 

The wilderness which he had entered in 1789 had now be- 
come a rural district of considerable agricultural wealth. The 
surplus products of the soil sought a market at a distance of more 
than one hundred miles over roads which scarcely deserved the 
name. Hence the necessity of greater facilities of transport, 
and the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company was organ- 
ized for the. purpose of connecting the waters of Wood Creek 
with the Mohawk River, by means of a short canal, and also to 
construct such locks and channels around the rapids of the Mo- 
hawk in Herkimer County as would make practicable the de- 
scent and ascent of the river by loaded bateaux. In the year 
1803, the entire survey of the Mohawk was made by Mr. Wright, 
and a portion of two years was spent in the service of the com- 
pany, making plans and estimates, which their poverty never 
permitted them to execute beyond the previous improvements 
at Little Falls on the Mohawk, and those at Rome and in the 
channel of Wood Creek, made about the year 1795. The 
waters of the latter, flowing past Rome on the westerly side, 
pursue their way to Oneida Lake, and thence, through Lake 
Ontario, into the St. Lawrence; while those of the Mohawk, pass- 
ing on the east side, are emptied into the Hudson River, and 
thence into the Atlantic below New York. This very peculiar 
feature of the country at Rome, with not more than about a doz- 
en feet elevation between the two streams indicated the improve- 
ments undertaken by the before-mentioned company. These 
works, although of great benefit, did not meet the rapidly increas- 
ing exigencies of the country. The survey made by Mr. Wright 
of the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, lor the Western Inland 
Navigation Company, would lead his thoughts most naturally to 
the importance of a more extended communication by a naviga- 
ble canal between the great lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. In 
1807 we find him a member of assembly from Oneida County, him- 
self and colleague, General McNeil, lodging at the same house 



456 Benjamin Wright. 

with Judge Forman, a member from Onondaga County. Mr. 
"Wright was then a subscriber to Rees' Encyclopedia, a very large 
and extensive work, then furnished to subscribers through Messrs. 
Webster & Skinner of Albany. One evening during the session, 
Mr. Wright brought in with him the volume just then issued, which 
contained the article, Canals. Opening to this, a discussion ensued, 
resulting in the agreement that Judge Forman should, on the fol- 
lowing morning, February 4, 1808, present a resolution which 
Mr. Wright should second, appropriating one thousand dollars 
to the survey of a canal between Lake Erie and the Hudson 
River. This resolution passed the assembly. In the senate the 
appropriation was reduced to the sum of six hundred dollars and 
then passed. (See journal of the assembly session, 1807-8.) 
Thus originated the first official act in relation to the great and 
noble scheme of internal improvement since carried into such 
successful operation in the state of New York — a movement 
which like an electric shock communicated its mighty influence 
to the surrounding states, and, in a brief space, our country leaped 
as it were from youth to conscious manhood! 

Every one, without exceptions, who was personally acquainted 
with the subject of this sketch, will bear unhesitating testimony to 
his exceeding modesty and shrinking from aught like public 
honors or notoriety. Scarcely a word ever escaped him which 
could be construed into a wish to assert his own claims to merit 
in the originating of this great work, or even in the promotion 
of it in any manner. A candid, discriminating public will at 
once rightly estimate the weight to be given to Mr. Wright's 
previous position and occupation, having already surveyed one- 
third of the route. Under these circumstances, we feel author- 
ized in awarding to Judge Wright an equal merit with Judge 
Forman in this measure. That the idea of a canal had been for 
several years expressed by others is well known. The claim 
here supported for Mr. Wright is limited to the originating of 
the first legislative steps towards the accomplishment of this 
splendid work, which may be said to have created the Great 
West, by opening her broad prairies and fertile valleys to the 
great markets, and inviting the industrious emigrant to reap the 
golden harvest which a bountiful nature bestowed, with but little 
labor. 

The report of Judge Geddes, who made the first surrey, led, 
in 1810, to the appointment of a board of canal commissioners, 
and to an appropriation for additional surveys. The canal com- 
missioners after examining the route from Lake Erie, reported in 
favor of a canal through the whole distance, unbroken by locks, 
on an inclined plane ot six inches to the mile. This report was 
referred to Mr. Wright and Mr. Geddes, who reported against 



Benjamin Wright. 457 

it. The war with Great Britain intervened, and prevented any 
progress in, while it furnished irresistible evidence of the neces- 
sity of such a work of internal navigation. But in 1816, a 
canal board was efficiently organized, and Mr. Geddes and Mr. 
Wright were charged with constructing the canal — the former 
with the western, and the latter with the eastern section — and 
from that time forth the work proceeded under their direction 
to its completion, in the year 1825. It may be mentioned, that 
Mr. Wright had, during the war, been appointed one of the 
judges for the county where he resided, but from his office, as 
well as from all his other employments, he withdrew on receiv- 
ing the appointment of canal engineer. 

Although the services rendered by Mr. Wright in the con- 
struction of the Erie Canal, constitute his principal claim to be 
remembered by posterity, he was also consulting or chief engi- 
neer of a number of other internal improvements, of the highest 
importance to the material interests of the United States; such 
as the Farmington Canal, in Connecticut; the Blackstone Canal, 
in Rhode Island; the Chesapeake and Ohio Canals, the James 
River and Kanawha Canal, the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, 
the Delaware and Hudson Canal, the Harlem Rail Road, the 
Welland Canal, in Canada; the New York and Erie Rail Road, 
the Tioga Rail Road, the Chicago and Illinois River Canal. 

In 1835 he visited Cuba, to consult as to a rail road from 
Havana to the interior of the Island, and his approval of the 
projected road decided its construction. Mr. Wright died in the 
city of New York, which had been his residence during several 
years, on the 24th of August, 1842, in the 72d year of his age. 
It may be added, that in all the various enterprises in which he 
was connected, Mr. Wright sustained the same reputation of 
zeal, industry, and probity, avoiding the reality, and ever escap- 
ing the suspicion of ever using the opportunities afforded him 
by his station, for any undue advantage of his own fortune. 



458 The War of 1812-15. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1812-1815. 

" Coming event? cast their shadows before them," and the trou- 
bles that preceded the declaration of war, in some degree prepared 
the public mind for that event. On the 22d of December, 1807, 
congress laid an indefinite embargo, which applied to the inland 
lakes, equally with the sea board, and rendered measures neces- 
sary for enforcing an observance of the non-intercourse. In the 
summer of 1808, Lieutenant Melancthon T. Woolsey was sent to 
Oswego, to superintend the building of a brig, which was launch- 
ed early in 1809, and named the Oneida. She was built by 
Christian Bergh and Henry Eckford, and was pierced for sixteen 
guns. A company of infantry, under Captain Bennet, and of 
twenty-three artillerymen, under Lieutenant Cross, were station- 
ed at Sackets Harbor in 1808, and early in March, 1809, two 
detachments of militia (forty-five men), from Colonel Paul 
Stickney's regiment, were drawn out, twenty of whom were sta- 
tioned on the St. Lawrence, opposite Kingston, and the remain- 
der on the Oswegatchie road, where several routes united. The 
embargo had the effect of lowering the price of grain, by inter- 
rupting the commerce by which it was exported, while from the 
same cause it enormously increased the price of potash, which all 
new woody countries produce, and which the embargo prevented 
from reaching England, except indirectly by way of Canada. 
This afforded a temptation too strong for the honesty of great 
numbers, who, notwithstanding the vigilance of the revenue offi- 
cers, were very successful. This article rose to $300 and $320 
per ton in Montreal, from whence it could be exported without 
obstruction to England; and as there then existed in Canada no 
law against its importation into the country, the only difficulty 
to meet, was an evasion or open defiance of our own laws. Pot- 
ash was brought from the interior counties, and even from New 
York to this frontier, and temporary roads were beaten through 
the forest in the winter time, by those engaged in this illegal 
traffic. Among these was the " embargo road," from the Black 
River, near Brownville, to near French Creek, which for a sea- 
son became a great thoroughfare for smugglers. Previous to the 
calling out of the militia detachments above mentioned, Mr. 
Hart Massey had seized fifty-four barrels of pot and pearl ashes, 
and twenty barrels of pork near Cape Vincent, which property 
was openly rescued and carried off by a force of fifty or sixty 



The War of 1812-15. 459 

cirmed men, with many sleighs from Kingston. Some idea of the 
facility with which smuggling might be performed, may be gain- 
ed from the following extract of a letter from the collector at 
Sackets Harbor, to the head of department, dated March 14, 
1809: 

" Nature has furnished the smugglers with the firmest ice that was ever 
known on this frontier. There is scarcely a place from the Oswegatchie 
to Sandy Creek, a distance of 110 miles, but that the ice is good. Sleighs 
pass at Sackets Harbor ten miles from shore, and all the force I can raise 
is not sufficient to stop them. They appear determined to evade the 
laws at the risk of their lives. More particularly at Oswegatchie, I am 
informed, they have entered into a combination, not to entertain, nor 
even suffer any other force to be stationed in that vicinity, and their 
threats are handed out, that, if I, or any other officer should come there 
again, they will take a raw hide to them, which they declare they 
have prepared for that purpose. These threats don't terrify me. 
I only mention them to let you know their unprincipled determination. 
The regular troops, and the inhabitants at that station, have a mutual 
understanding. If the troops that are there, are not called away, it 
will be in vain to send any more, without sending enough to over- 
power them and the inhabitant?. * * The militia, stationed on the 
Oswegatchie, are thirty miles this way from the post, at the place 
where the roads branch off to various parts of St. Lawrence 
County.* The psople in the vicinity of their station are hostile, and 
refuse to accommodate them with any thing, even to admit them into 
their houses. They are in a suffering condition, and the snow is three 
feet deep. I shall go to their assistance soon, and furnish them with such 
things as they are in want of, to keep them from suffering. They are 
poorly armed, without blankets or cooking utensils, or even without 
shelter, except hemlock boughs, but, notwithstanding their distressed 
situation, they stop the illicit trade on that road. It is with difficulty, 
that I get any assistance for the conveyance of property to the public 
store. If I have not armed men with me, the inhabitants will assemble 
in the night, and take the property from me. There are some who wish 
to support the laws, but they are so unpopular that they shrink from their 
duty. My life and the lives of my deputies are threatened daily; what 
will be the fate of us, God only knows." 

This open and bold defiance of laws, was not entirely due to 
a mercenary spirit, but to political rancor and a practical opposi- 
tion to a law which they declared unconstitutional and void. 
An open defiance to the law was attempted at Oswego, in the 
summer of 1808, it is said, in part, by citizens of this county, 
which was boldly planned but badly executed. 

One morning, about ten boats, with sixty armed men, entered 
that harbor, and from an intimation that was given by one of 
their number, it was learned that they designed to forcibly seize 
a quantity of flour that had been detained by the collector, Mr. 
Burt, or to use their own language, " to clear out the place or 
burn it." A message was at once sent to hasten on a company 
of dragoons at Onondaga, who arrived within half a dozen miles 

* In the town of Antwerp, one mile north of the village. 



460 The War of 1812 15. 

and encamped. Learning that the hour of 11 p. m. was agreed 
upon for " a scrape," the detachment was hastened forward, and 
arrived a few minutes before the signal was given. Hearing: 
the music of the approaching company, the insolent marauders 
instantly fled to the woods, leaving their boats in charge of the 
collector. The great price to which ashes arose led for a short 
time to extensive clearings for this object as labor was far better 
rewarded in this, than in the ordinary pursuits of husbandry. 
On the 1st of March, 1809, the embargo gave place to a non- 
intercourse law, which expired in May, 1810. On the 4th of 
April, 1812, an embargo was again laid, which rendered renewed 
vigilance necessary; but this time, a more efficient system of 
means was at hand. 

In May, 1812, the Lord Nelson, a British schooner, bound for 
Niagara, and laden with flour and merchandise from Kingston, 
being found in American waters, in the lake, was captured by 
Woolsey, brought into Sackets Harbor, and condemned as a law- 
ful prize. Among the goods taken and offered at auction, was 
a quantity of plate, jewelry, wearing apparel, and household 
articles of rich materials, belonging to a lady of Queenstown, 
newly married, but not on board; and these articles, although 
of great intrinsic value, were inestimably precious to the owner, 
as family relics and keepsakes. These, Commodore Woolsey, 
with true courtesy, proposed to restore, and the suggestion was 
seconded by the hearty acclamation of his gallant sailors, who 
offered to relinquish their claim; but others, from sordid and 
illiberal motives, insisted that the sale should go on, and under- 
took to compete in the bids, which gradually arose to three, four, 
and five hundred dollars. At this moment, the gallant Woolsey, 
determined not to be baffled in his design, suddenly raised his bid 
to Jive thousand, which at once ended the contest, amid the 
cheers of his men, and to the discomfit of his opponents. The 
property, he promptly forwarded to the owner, and the govern- 
ment sanctioned his course by discharging him from the obliga- 
tion.* The vessel was owned by Crooks, of Niagara, who 
afterwards got a reversal of the adjudication. The Lord Nelson 
was changed to the Scourge, and was afterwards recaptured by 
the enemy. 

On the 14th day of June, the schooner Ontario, Capt. Charles 
Sweet, was seized at Cape Vincent for an alleged violation of 
the revenue laws, but discharged on the 22d. The schooner Ni- 
agara, was seized at about the same time, and afterwards sold 
for a like cause. 

*A different version of this anecdote is given by Cooper, in his Lives of 
Distinguished Naval Officers, vol. ii, p. 136. We give the account as related 
to us by Captain Augustus Ford, of Sackets Harbor; who, since 1795, has 
been familiar with whatever is connected with the navigation of lake Ontario. 



The War o/ 1812-15. 461 

The state legislature, acting on the spirit which led the gene- 
ral government to take the steps above related, on the 12th of 
February, 1808, directed that 500 stand of arms should be de- 
posited at Champion. Governor Tompkins, in a letter to Noa- 
diah Hubbard, of Champion, of February 27, 1809, announced 
that of the above 350 sets of accoutrements, 7500 rounds of fixed 
ammunition, &c, had been for some time at Utica, awaiting 
some place of deposit, which was not however provided, and 
their destination was, by an act of March 27, 1809, changed to 
Watertown, where an arsenal was built that year, under the di- 
rection of Hart Massey. The street on which it was located 
was called Columbia Street, previous to this time, when its 
name was changed to Jirsenal Street. It was maintained as a 
state arsenal, until sold under the act of April 19, 1850. 

By an act of Congress, passed April 10, 1,812, the president 
was authorized to raise a body of 100,000 minute men, of which 
proportion New York was to furnish 13,500. J 

Colonel Christopher P. Bellinger, from Montgomery County, 
was stationed at the harbor in May, with a regiment drafted 
under the act just mentioned, and remained three months. A 
portion of his command was stationed at Cape Vincent, and was 
very efficient in enforcing the embargo. 

War having been for years anticipated, was declared June 18, 
1812, by a vote of 79 to 49, in the house, and of 19 to 15 in the 
senate; Silas Stow then representing this district and voting in the 
negative. The event was first announced in a letter from Governor 
Tompkins to Brigadier General Jacob Brown, of the militia, 
dated June 23, in which he was empowered to reenforce Colonel 
Bellinger, with the militia of Lewis, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence 
counties, and to arm and equip them at the state arsenals at 
Russell and W?.tertown, if occasion required. Colonel Benedict, 
of De Kalb, St. Lawrence Co., was ordered to turn out immedi- 
ately, to guard the frontiers from Ogdensburgh to St. Regis. In 
reply, General Brown urged the speedy forwarding of arms and 
munitions, and that a force should be posted at Cape Vincent 
and Ogdensburgh, which could be concentrated at a few hours 
notice, should decisive measures be necessary. This letter con- 
tained the following sentiments. " Your Excellency will bear in 
mind, that this is a very new country; that the population is 
light, and generally poor, though very respectable for so new a 
country, and that, if any more men are called from their homes, 
the crops which now promise a very abundant harvest must 
perish on the ground. I mention this to your Excellency, as the 
county expects it at my hands, and much more than my feeble 
abilities can accomplish; but no considerations of this nature 
shall deter me, for a moment, from calling out every man in the 



462 The War of 18 12-15. 

county, if its defence requires it, though, for the present, I must 
hope that the force coming on, will render such a measure unne- 
cessary. I pray God that our government will act with that 
decision and energy which becomes a gallant people." 

On the first announcement of war, some families hastily pre- 
pared to leave the country, to which they were impelled in part 
by fugitives of the same class from St. Lawrence, but to the 
credit of the county the number of these timid ones was com- 
paratively small, and several who had removed returned. The 
fear of Indian massacre, which the memories of the revolution 
suggested, was in general the impelling cause, although they 
could scarcely define the source from whence these dreaded mau- 
rauders would come, or adduce a consistent argument to justify 
their apprehension. The news of the war had scarcely reached 
this frontier, when hostilities were begun in a small way, by 
Abner Hubbard, a revolutionary soldier, who, without authority, 
and with only the aid of a man and a boy, made a descent upon 
Fort Carleton, near Cape Vincent, and, without firing a gun, 
took the garrison, consisting of three invalid men and two women, 
prisoners. The next day a boat was sent to the island for the 
stores, and the buildings were afterwards burned. This proceeding 
being known at Kingston, an attempt was made to detain a 
citizen from Brownville, who was in town on commercial busi- 
ness, but being forewarned by a friend, he escaped. On the 29th 
of April, a fleet of trading vessels, that had been caught at Og- 
densburgh, and were attempting to ascend the river to the lake, 
were pursued by a party of provincial militia. Two of the vessels, 
The Sophia and Island Packet, were burned, and the remainder 
returned in great confusion to Ogdensburgh, where they created 
the greatest alarm. This occurred near the foot of the Thousand 
Islands. On the 2d of July, the scouts of General Brown brought 
in a man, found between Indian River and the St. Lawrence, who 
was taken for a spy, but proved to be an American, and con- 
firmed the account of the burning of the vessels, stating that 
there were about thirty persons aboard, mostly families moving; 
and that the most of their effects were burned. It was appre- 
hended that the enemy were about to fortify the islands, and thus 
command the river. A few days before the news of war was 
received, a large quantity of small arms was forwarded by the 
governor to this frontier, consisting of two thousand muskets, 
and a corresponding quantity of munitions, which were mostly sent 
on to the Russell Arsenal, in Lawrence County, escorted by the 
detachment from Lewis County. A considerable body of militia 
from Jefferson County, was assembled at Cape Vincent, together 
with a portion of the force of Colonel Bellinger, as it was con- 
sidered advisable to keep Kingston in as great a state of alarm 



The War 0/ 1812-15. 463 

as possible. At this point was the great naval station of the 
enemy, where for one or two years armed vessels had been building, 
and from whence alone an attack could be reasonably expected. 
It was apprehended that an attempt would be made by the 
British, to destroy or take our vessels at Ogdensburgh, and the 
Oneida, Lord Nelson, and other vessels at Sackets Harbor. To 
be in readiness for any attack, the governor was importuned to 
forward cannon from the state arsenals, and the assurance was 
given, that a good account would be rendered of the enemy, 
should they attempt any expedition to our shores. On the 11th 
of July a rumor was spread, that Lieutenant Woolsey, with the 
brig Oneida, had been taken by the enemy, which brought 
General Brown to the Harbor, but the report proved groundless. 
There had arrived two brass nine pounders, but no nine-pound shot. 
On Sunday, the 19th of July, 1812, Captain Woolesy, of the 
Oneida, discovered from the mast head of his brig, five sail of 
the enemy beating up the harbor, viz: the Royal George, 24 
guns; the Seneca, 18; Prince Regent, 22; Earl of Moira, 20; 
and Simcoe. The Oneida attempted to gain the lake, but fail- 
ing, returned, and was moored outside of the point, where the 
ship-house now is, with one broadside of nine guns to the enemy, 
while the others were take out and hastily placed on a breast- 
work on the shore, near which, on the day previous, a 32 pounder 
(intended for the Oneida, but found too heavy) had been mount- 
ed on a pivot, upon a mound about six feet high. Alarm guns 
were fired, and expresses sent to call in the neighboring militia, 
who did not, however, arrive in time to render assistance, but 
who, in the course of the day, came in to the number of 3000. 
The British had, early in the morning, captured a boat laden 
with flour from Cape Vincent, and the crew were set on shore, 
and sent with the message " that all they wanted was the brig 
Oneida, and the Lord Nelson (a vessel taken a little before for 
a violation of the revenue), and that they would burn the village 
if there was a single shot fired at them." The enemy had been 
misinformed about the defences of the place, and especially of 
the 32 pounder, and supposed there was nothing to be feared in 
the way of ordnance. The force at that time in town was, be- 
sides the crew of the Oneida, the regiment of Colonel Bellinger, 
a volunteer company of artillery under Captain Camp, and a few 
militia. Captain Woolsey, leaving his brig in charge of a 
lieutenant, took the general command on shore, the 32 pounder 
being in charge of Mr. William Vaughan, sailing master, and the 
other guns under that of Captain Camp. There were no shot in 
town larger than 24 pound balls, which were used (with the aid 
of patches formed of carpets), in the 32 pounder. By the time 
these arrangements were made, the enemy had arrived within 



464 The War of 18 12-15. 

gun shot, nearly in front of the battery, when the action 
was begun, the first shot being from the 32 pounder on the 
mound; upon which a shout of laughter was heard from the 
fleet, at the supposed imbecile attempt at resistance. The fire was 
returned briskly, and continued for two hours, all of the enemy's 
bells but one or two, falling against the rocks at the foot of the 
bluff, where our force was stationed. One ball fell near by, and 
plowed up the ground for some distance. It was caught up just 
as it had spent its force, by a man who came running in and 
shouting that he had " caught them out;" and so it proved, for 
from its commanding position, it was seen that our big gun had 
every advantage, and that several of its shots told with effect. 
Towards the close of the action, as the Royal George, the flag 
ship, was wearing to give another broadside, a 24 pound shot 
struck her stern, and raked her whole length, killing eight men, 
and doing much damage. Upon this the signal of retreat was 
given, and the whole fleet bore away for Kingston without cere- 
mony. At this, the band on shore struck up the national tune 
of Yankee Doodle, and the troops, who had through the whole 
affair behaved like veterans, sent up three cheers of victory. The 
shots from our battery had broken their chest of medicines, their 
fore top gallant mast, and their vessels, in a dozen places, while 
the enemy broke nothing but — the Sabbath. In a letter to the 
governor, of July 24th, General Brown attributed the success of 
the day to the gallant spirit of Woolsey, Bellinger and Camp, 
in their respective capacities, and especially to the nice shots of 
the 32 pounder. Mr. Vaughan, who pointed and fired this piece, 
claims the honor ot having fired the first hostile gun in the war. 
One of the men at this gun, named Julius Torry, a negro, better 
known as Black Julius, and a great favorite in the camp, served 
at his post with remarkable activity and courage. As there was 
no opportunity for the use of small arms, the greater part of the 
troops who were drawn up, were passive spectators of the en- 
gagement. 

It has been intimated that a fleet of eight trading vessels was 
detained at Ogdensburgh, which occasioned great anxiety among 
our citizens,* and to both belligerents. If they could be got to 
the lake, and armed, they would give us the supremacy there; 
and if they could be destroyed, the enemy were sure of the as- 
cendancy for a considerable time. To prevent any attempt at 
escape, the Earl of Moira, of fourteen guns, and the Duke of 
Gloucester, often guns, had been sent toPrescott. This did not 
prevent a bold attempt from being made, to relieve the vessels; 
which, although it failed to effect all that was intended, was 
carried out with great firmness, and deserves honorable notice. 

*See History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties; page 621. 



The War of 1812-15. 465 

In a letter, of July 30, to the Governor, General Brown said; 
"The expedition for Ogdensburgh is fitted out. The Julia,* with 
the long thirty-two pounder, two long sixes, and about sixty 
volunteers under the command of Lieutenant Wells, from the 
Oneida, seconded by Captains Vaughan and Dixon, now lies off 
the harbor, ready to sail with the first favorable wind. We count 
upon her being under way in the course of this day, and we pray 
God, she may do something towards saving the honor of the 
country. Perhaps your Excellency may suppose we have been 
led astray by our ardor, dazzled by the object, and forgot our 
humble means. Our means are humble, but with the blessing of 
Heaven, this republican gun boat may give a good account of 
the Duke and the Earl; and a successful termination of this 
enterprise will give us an equal chance for the command of the 
lake." The result of this expedition is detailed in the following 
letter from General Brown to the Governor, dated Sackets Har- 
bor, August 4, ]S12: 

"Dear Sir: The Julia engaged the Earl and Duke on the St. Law- 
rence, about twelve miles above Ogdensburgh. They closely hugged 
the Canada shore, as the wind at the time was down the river, and it 
was impossible for them to beat to windward. The fire was continued 
for full three hours, when night, and a dark night, was coming on, and 
Lieut. Wells very prudently made his way to Ogdensburgh. The Julia 
was very little injured, had i'ew balls struck her; there was neither 
killed nor wounded on our side, and we have not been able to learn what 
injury the enemy suffered. We expect to hear from Wells again in a 
day or two. 

However easy it may be to conquer Canada, I must assure your Ex- 
cellency, that without ordnance to a much greater extent than has yet 
been supplied, we are completely at the mercy of the enemy, whenever 
they may deem it an object to unite their force and make a serious attack 
upon us; for, though we have as gallant a people as the Lord ever 
created, we must not expect them to resist heavy ordnance with small 
arms. We shall have our works at this place completed in the course 
of the week; and then, if our government will only furnish us with can- 
non, I humbly trust that we shall give a good account of the enemy if 
they should again venture their squadron here. The men, belonging to 
Lieutenant Colonel Bellinger's regiment, one and all, expect to be dis- 
charged at the expiration of three montbs from the time of their assem- 
bling at Rome. They also expect $6'66 per month, and a reasonable 
amount of clothing. Will your Excellency please to give me explicit 
orders on this subject? I will obey them to the best of my abilities; but 
it will be a knotty business, if these men are retained in the service for 
a longer term than they understood they were drafted for. The Major 
General [Van Rensselaer] left this place yesterday, for Oswego, in good 
health, and that he may long remain so, is the prayer of 
Yours, respectfully, 

Jacob Brown, Brigadier General. 

* A schooner built by Matthew McNair, of Oswego, and named from his 
daughter. 



466 The War of 18 12-15. 

The Julia was moored in the stream before Ogdensburgh until 
September 5, in charge of Sailing Master Vaughan, when, avail- 
ing herself of the armistice in September, she returned to the lake 
in company with the vessels at that port. Bellinger's regiment 
was disbanded on the 20th of August, before being paid; the 
officers remained and the soldiers returned home. The delays of 
payment which these men experienced, occasioned murmurs, and 
their claims were repeatedly made the subject of representation 
to the governor by General Brown, who awarded them much 
credit for the services rendered, but insisted that the interests of 
the service, and the honor of the country alike required their 
discharge at the end of their enlistment. In a letter of August 
10, General Brown remarked: 

This regiment being disbanded, as I do trust it will be, and paid off on or 
before that day, or your Excellency will see that I shall have very few men 
under my command. I will however try to do the best I can with these 
few, say 600 men from Oswego to St. Regis. It would however be very 
desirable to be well supplied with the necessary munitions of war. A 
few more cannon and ball would be very acceptable and particularly so 
as we have with great labor erected works for their reception. I have 
nothing new or interesting to communicate to your Excellency but as a 
squadron of a gallant nation is cruising not many miles from this place, 
and as it is of some importance to that nation to get possession of the 
Oneida and destroy our other vessels here, I think it very possible that 
the attempt will be made before many days. If they do come in force 
as they doubtless will if they come again, I trust in the Almighty and 
my fellow soldiers that we shall not be disgraced, whatever may be the 
issue. 

On the 30th of July, a fine company of riflemen under Cap- 
tain Benjamin Forsyth had been ordered to join General Brown 
at Sackets Harbor which was the first regular force on this fron- 
tier since the declaration of war. He was encouraged by Gene- 
ral Brown to enlist as many men into his company as possible, 
and it was hoped that he would be able to have men enough for 
two companies in the course of the fall. On the 17th of Sep- 
tember, General Brown addressed the following letter to the go- 
vernor: 

Deak Sir: The first and only official notice that I have received from 
my government of the renewal of offensive operations against Great Bri- 
tain came to hand yesterday by the way of Ogdensburgh.* Would it not 
be advisable to establish a line of post horses by the way of Johnstown 
to Lowville and from thence to this place and Ogdensburgh? Were I 
permitted, it should be done forthwith. General Dodge advised me last 
week that he counted upon having 900 men embodied at Utica last Sat- 
urday: that these men would move to the frontiers with as little delay 
as possible; but I am yet to learn that they have marched or moved. I 
humbly trust that what it was in my power to do with the means at my 
command has been done, and that I am disposed to do what in me lies 
to prosecute this just and honorable war. 

* Referring to an armistice that had been agreed upon. 



The War of 1812-15. 467 

But I must say to your Excellency that, unless more vigor and energy is 
infused into the national council, it is not in human nature that this war 
can be brought to a conclusion worthy of the American people. Excuse 
me, sir. Of vessels we have on this lake ten, besides The. Oneida, and 
vessels they are of the first class for their burthen ; six of them are here, 
viz: the Genesee Packet,* Experiment,! Collector^ Lord Nelson.§ 
Niagara, and the Julia. At Oswego, Charles and Ann,|| Diana,H Fair 
American, and Ontario. These vessels are from 70 to 100 tons burthen, 
and, if armed with long 32 pounders, and manned with such men aa 
this nation could furnish, would at once command the lake and the St. 
Lawrence to the rapids; and may I ask your Excellency, in the name of 
all that is holy, why this has not been done? Besides these vessels, we 
have a number of slip keel boats, of from 10 to 12 tons burthen, and 
many other boats of from G to 8 tons burthen. These boats should be 
armed with swivels and light guns, of from 4 to 6 pound calibre. Let 
this be done, and we will soon see these waters ours, and then Upper 
Canada wiH not be of so difficult acquirement. Any thing like a respect- 
able army will then be enabled to look down all opposition. I hope 
it will be recollected that our movements must be rapid to effect any 
thing, before the snowfalls so deep as to prevent the march of armies. 
I have devoted some attention to this point, and have caused works to be 
erected here of some little consequence; and 1 do most earnestly solicit 
your Excellency, that I may not be ordered from this place, to make room 
for another. Whenever we may be ordered into Canada, I will not be 
hindmost. What is to become of our quartermaster department? Will 
there ever be any money here to pay up arrears, and make barracks for 
men to live in? This will be handed to you by Captain Camp, who 
deserves well of his country, and I recommend him to the particular 
notice of your Excellency. Respectfully yours, 

Jacob Brown." 

On the night of the 20th of September, an expedition was 
despatched from Sackets Harbor, which is thus described by 
General Brown, in a letter to the governor. 

" At a time when my force was the lightest, and a very considerable 
alarm prevailed for the safety of that port, I fitted out a secret expedition, 
under the command of that excellent officer, Captain Forsyth, against 
Gananoqui, a small British post, twenty miles below Kingston, with the 
view of capturing some of the enemy's ammunition, of which we were 
and are greatly in want, and of alarming them as much as possible for 
their own safety. My order was executed by Captain Forsyth, as became 
an officer and a soldier, and Captain McNitt and Lieutenant Brown, and 
Ensigns Hawkins and Johnson, of the militia, who volunteered on the 
expedition, are reported to me, by Captain Forsyth, as deserving the 
highest praise for their cool, intrepid valor and good conduct. There 
was not a man, but did his duty. Captain Forsyth landed in open day, 
two miles :ibove the village; his whole force amounting to ninety-five. At 
three quarters of a mile he met two horsemen, one of whom was probably 
shot, the other fled to the village, where Captain Forsyth found on his arri- 
val the enemy drawn up in order of battle, 110 strong, and upon his ap- 
proach they commenced a heavy fire upon him, but over. He rushed imme- 
diately on, without firing, until within 100 yards, when his party made a 

* Afterwards the Conquest. § Afterwards the Scourge. 

t " " Growler. ' || " " Gov. Tompkins. 

X " " Pert. 1 " * Hamilton. 



468 The War of 18 12- 1 5 . 

few deliberate shots, then rushed on, and broke the enemy, drove them 
across a bridge, which, for his better security, Captain Forsyth broke up. 
lie had one man killed and one wouuded. The loss of the enemy, in 
killed, Captain Forsyth lias declined stating, but from the best inform- 
ation I can collect from the party, it was from ten to fifteen. Twelve 
prisoners were taken, 3000 ball cartridges, and 41 muskets. There were 
in the King's store about 150 barrels of provisions, and as there were no 
boats to bring it away, it was consumed by fire, together with the store. 
Private property was held sacred. To the soldiers on this expedtton, I 
have presented the public property taken, as a reward for their valor and 
good conduct. I wish your Excellency to approbate or disapprobate 
this my donation to these brave men. Your Excellency must bear in 
mind, that with my very little brigade, or at best a part of that at Oswego, 
I have been put upon the defence of this northern frontier, from St. 
Regis to near Oswego. The men that I have the honor to command, 
have done and suffered much for militia; their clothea generally were in 
tatters, and they are poor men. They can not clothe themselves in this 
region for $6*06, per month, and it is not in human nature that these 
men can endure a winter campaign in this climate thus clad. I can not 
believe that these men would leave me; it would grieve me if they 
should; but it is a stain upon our national character, that the citizen 
soldier of this country should be worse paid and provided for, than any 
other class among us." * 

On the 21st of September, Brig. Gen. Richard Dodge arrived 
at Watertown, with a detachment of militia from the Mohawk 
country, and issued orders for Gen. Brown to march to Ogdens- 
burgh with the detached militia under his command, and take 
charge of that fort. This was the first intelligence he had re- 
ceived that he was to be superseded at Sackets Harbor, and he 
felt extremely grieved at this movement, which the customs of 
the service and priority of commissions indicated. 

He did not, however, allow his personal feelings to conflict 
with duty, but proceeded to comply with the order, though in a 
manner different from that directed. As the roads were then 
nearly impassable, and the journey would have been tedious ami 
expensive, he chose the route of the river, and arrived at Og- 
densburgh without accident, on the 1st of October. On the 2d 
the enemy cannonaded the town, and on the 4th made an unsuc- 
cessful attack,* in which they were repulsed with considerable 
loss. His presence and the efficient exertions of his troops at 
that time saved the town from capture. A part of Capt. For- 
syth's company accompanied Gen. Brown, the remainder being 
detained by Gen. Dodge at Sackets Harbor. Early in October, 
Gov. Tompkins visited Sackets Harbor^ to take efficient mea- 
sures for its defense, and on the 6th, Com. Isaac Chauncey, hav- 
ing been appointed commander of the naval forces of the United 
States on the lakes, arrived. The vessels on the lake were im- 
mediately bought and fitted with armaments, and ship-building 

* History of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, p. 625. See also this- 
volume, page 424. 



The War of 18 12-1 5. 469 

on cm extensive scale was commenced under the direction of 
Henry Eckford. The enemy had at this time a naval force of 
105 guns, and 890 men. At the request of the governor, Gen. 
Dodge detached to the aid of Gen. Brown, about the 12th of 
October, the residue of Capt. Forsyth's company, and the artillery 
companies of Captains Brown, King and Foot, in all 160 men, 
with a supply of munitions, among which were two brass nines, 
one iron four, two chests of ammunition, 250 12 lb. balls, 300 
9 lb. do., 200 6 lb. do., 60 muskets, and 145 lbs. of powder. 

Com. Chauncey first appeared on the lake, on the 8th of No- 
vember, with his broad penant on the Oneida, 16, Lt. Woolsey, 
and having in company the Conquest, Lt. Elliot; Hamilton, Lt. 
McPherson; Gov. Tompkins, Lt. Brown; Pert, Mr. Arundel; 
Julia, Mr. Trant, and Growler, Mr. Mix, the three last persons 
being sailing masters. These vessels together mounted 40 guns, 
of different calibres, and numbered 430 men, including marines. 
The object of the expedition was to intercept the enemy's vessels 
on their return from Fort George, whither they had gone with 
troops to reinforce that post, and from which they were daily 
expected to return to Kingston. The reputed force of the ene- 
my's fleet was as follows: 

The ship Royal George, 26 guns, 260 men; ship Earl of Mo- 
ira, 18 guns, 200 men; schooners Prince Regent, 18 guns, 150 
men; Duke of Gloucester, 14 guns, 80 men; Simcoe, 12 guns, 
76 men, and Seneca, 4 guns and 40 men. 

Having taken a station near the False Ducks, he fell in with 
the Royal George, 26 guns, and chased her into the bay of Quin- 
te, where she was lost in the night. On the morning of the 10th, 
he took a small schooner, which he burnt, having got sight of 
the Royal George which he followed into Kingston harbor, and 
engaged her and the batteries an hour and forty-five minutes, but 
finding these stronger than anticipated, night coming on and a gale 
of wind blowing in, he stood off and anchored. In the morning 
the wind continued so strong in shore that he thought it impru- 
dent to hazard an attack, and beat out, and soon after fell in 
with the Simcoe, and chased her over a reef of rocks, but so 
disabled her with shot, that she sank before getting along side 
of the dock. 

On the morning of the 10th, he took a large schooner from 
Niagara bound in, and the next morning sent down the prize 
under convoy of the Growler, past Kingston, to induce the ship 
to follow, but without success. The night of the 11th was 
boisterous; on the 13th was a severe snow storm, and on the 13th 
it continued to snow fast, but little wind. The remainder of 
this cruise we give in the language of Com. Chauncey, in a let- 
ter to the governor: 
30 



470 The War of 18 1 2- 1 5. 

" The Growler sent the prize in, and stood in for the Ducks, 
where he had orders to join me. Near the Ducks, he fell in with 
the Earl of Moira, convoying the sloop Elizabeth from York to 
Kingston. Sailing Master Mix, who commanded the Growler, 
run down in a very gallant manner and took possession of the 
Elizabeth within two miles of the ship, and brought her in. I 
immediately weighed and stood for Kingston in hopes to cut her 
off, but the elements were against me again, for I scarcely had 
left the harbor before it blew a gale of wind, and snowed so 
thick that we frequently could not see a mile. We, however, 
persevered to the great danger of the vessels and lives of the 
crews. On the 14th we got sight of the Earl of Moira, entering 
Kingston harbor, but it blowing a gale of wind, we concluded 
not to follow, and after beating about almost all that day, I made 
the signal for all the squadron to bear for this place, where we 
arrived on the same evening. During these two short cruises 
we captured three vessels, two have arrived, one we burnt, a 
fourth was so injured that she sunk, and we learn from one who 
came in the flags yesterday, that the Royal George was so much 
injured that she had to haul on shore to keep from sinking, hav- 
ing received several shots between wind and water, several guns 
disabled, and a number of persons killed or wounded, besides con- 
siderable injury (though not intentional) to the town. Amongst 
the prisoners is Capt. Brock of the 29th regiment, and a relative 
of the late Gen. Brock, who was returning from York with part 
of the baggage of his deceased friend. Our loss was trifling; 
one man killed and four wounded, two of the latter by the burst- 
ing of a gun on board of the Pert, the commander of which 
vessel, Mr. Arundell, was knocked overboard and drowned. The 
damage done to the rigging and sails not much, and a few shot 
in the hulls of one of the vessels, but the injury from which was 
soon repaired. The Gov. Tompkins, Hamilton, Conquest, and 
Growler, are now blockading the vessels in Kingston. I am 
taking on board guns and stores for Niagara, for which place I 
shall sail the first wind, in company with the Julia, Pert, Fair 
American, Ontario and Scourge, and I am in great hopes that I 
shall fall in with the Prince Regent, or some of the royal family 
which are cruising about York. Had we been one month sooner 
we could have taken every town on this lake in three weeks, 
but the season is now so tempestuous that I am apprehensive we 
can not do much more this winter. I am, however, ready to co- 
operate with the army, and our officers and men are anxious to 
be engaged." 

This brilliant maneuver conferred great credit upon those en- 
gaged, and called public attention to the operations on this fron- 
tier, as likely to afford a theatre for deeds of valor, that would 



The War of 1812-15. 471 

conftT honor upon the American name. The spirited engagement 
in Kingston harbor has been compared, by Cooper, to the assault 
upon Tripoli, in our previous war with the Barbary States,- to 
which it was not in the least inferior, due allowance being made 
for the comparative force employed. The fact of the Royal 
George, which was by much the largest vessel that had then been 
built on our inland waters, retiring before the Oneida, has been 
ascribed* to her not being properly officered. The British had 
not then made their drafts upon the royal navy for the service of 
the lakes. 

A singularly romantic incident, remarkable in its coinciden- 
ces, and verifying the proverb that truth is stranger than fic- 
tion, was related to the author, by onef who was intimately 
acquainted with the facts, and whose reputation for veracity and 
correctness, is above suspicion. His memory appears strong and 
unclouded, and a life time spent in the naval service, has afforded 
unusual facilities for becoming acquainted with the lights and 
shades that checker the life of the mariner. 

Tom Garnet was the son of an English farmer, living about 
forty miles from Liverpool, who conducted a large farm with 
much success, and had acquired more of the conveniences and 
luxuries of life than the average of that class in England. As 
his family became of age, they were comfortably provided with 
the means of starting in life, with the same advantages they en- 
joyed at home, and which an early, careful and correct educa- 
tion had instructed them to employ with the greatest advantage. 
Tom had arrived at manhood, and, in the natural course of hu- 
man events, had felt and acknowledged the truth, that it is not 
well for man to live alone; in short, he chose a partner with 
whom to travel the journey of life, to afford mutual assistance, in 
lightening the burdens, and sharing the pleasures of the pilgrim- 
age. The ceremony being completed, he was sent by his father 
to Liverpool, with an ox cart laden with wheat, to exchange for 
household furniture, and articles necessary for an outfit, and, 
doubtless, on the way, his fancy pictured the pleasant surprise 
that on his return he would occasion, by the present to his bride 
of some unexpected trifle, some token of affection, and evidence 
that her memory had not been absent from him. 

He had been but a short time in town, when he was rudely 
seized by a press gang, and despite of his entreaties and resist- 
ance, was taken on board a frigate about to sail for the East 

* Naval History of the United States, by J. Fennimore Cooper, ii, 333. 

t Captain Augustus Ford, of Sackets Harbor. He was born in 1772, and 
in his boyhood served in the continental frigate Washington, and afterwards 
in several privateers. In 1793, he first came to Oswego, and from 179C down 
to a late period, has been connected with the navigation of this lake. He was 
commissioned as sailing master, March 28, 1810, and served under Woolsey. 



472 The War of 1812- 15. 

Indies, his cart and oxen remaining in the streets, and himself 
unable to send a single word home, to relieve the dreadful anxi- 
ety that his protracted absence would occasion. 

During seven long weary years he was detained abroad, with- 
out exchanging one letter with home, or knowing whether those 
most dear were dead or living; when, at length, sun-burnt by 
tropical heat, and, by hard service, so worn and haggard as 
scarcely to be recognized, he was landed at Liverpool, and paid 
his hard-earned wages, which he had carefully saved by avoid- 
ing all those vices that sailors too frequently acquire; and, 
with a light heart, set his face homeward, wondering what 
the changes of seven years might have wrought in his home. 
On the approach of night, fearing to call at an inn, lest his 
dress and appearance should excite suspicion that he was a de- 
serter from the navy, he crept into a nook, under a stack of straw, 
and spent the night. In the morning, there being a dense fog, and 
not knowing the course he was going, he fell into the midst of 
another press gang, who, in spite of entreaties, again carried 
him to the fleet, and he was soon under way to the coast of South 
America. After several years, finding an opportunity, he reached 
the shore, and fled; crossed the Andes, and, at length, reaching 
another port, and finding no other opportunity of leaving, he 
enlisted in an American ship of war for a few months, and soon 
after sailed for the United States. His crew were soon detailed 
for service on lake Ontario, and he arrived at Sackets Harbor, in 
the fall of 1812, and became one of the crew of the Oneida, un- 
der Woolsey. Here our informant became acquainted with him, 
it having been twenty years since he was first abducted, during 
which time not one word had been received from home. He 
was of a kind, cheerful, and obliging disposition; was strictly 
temperate, used no profane language, and was made captain of 
the forecastle, from the entire confidence that was placed in his 
capacity and fidelity. In short, Tom Garnet was the universal 
favorite of the brig, and both officers and men became strongly 
attached to him for his kindness of heart, intelligence, and moral 
worth. 

On the morning before the fleet of Chauncey sailed to meet the 
enemy near Kingston, Tom related to his comrades a dream he 
had the night before, in which he thought his wife appeared to 
him, as a disembodied spirit, in heaven, with a son, whom he 
had never seen, and told him that he would soon join them. His 
story was treated with levity; but the calm and serious earnest- 
ness with which he related it, and the evident conviction he felt 
of its reality, checked that hilarity that might otherwise have 
attended the announcement that he was to be the first man killed 
on board the fleet. He proceeded to divide his wardrobe among 



The War of 1812-15. 473 

his companions, and gave instructions about the the little pro- 
perty he possessed, as would one to whom death was a certain 
doom; yet his cheerfulness and alacrity was unabated, and, al- 
though he evidently believed in the presentiment he expressed, 
he seemed to be exhilarated with the welcome prospect of meeting 
the long-lost and dear partner of early hopes blasted, the object 
on which his memories had centered, and the only one for whom 
he had desired to live. Chauncey's fleet sailed, and engaged 
the enemy's batteries in the harbor of Kingston, as above related; 
the first shot from which was a nine pound ball that crossed the 
deck of the Oneida, and passed through the body of Tom Garnet, 
at his post. He fell instantly dead, with the same smile upon 
his countenance that habit had impressed. This singular coin- 
cidence, and verification of presentiment, is so well attested by 
authentic witnesses that it merits the attention of the curious. 

On the 26th of November, the ship Madison was launched at 
Sackets Harbor, having been built in forty-five days. Fort Tomp- 
kins had been built during the summer previous, and stood on the 
plain fronting the bay, near the present ship-house. Temporary 
barracks had also been fitted up, under the directions of Major 
Darby Noon. Late in November, the fleet attempted to gain 
the head of the lake, but was driven back in a gale, the Growl- 
er was dismasted, and the fleet greatly endangered by the ice. 
Early in December, the navigation closed for the season, and 
the winter was spent on both sides of the lake in active prepa- 
rations for the ensuing campaign. " In the course of the autumn, 
the Americans had increased their force to eleven sail, ten of 
which were the small schooners bought from the merchants, and 
fitted with gun-boat armaments, without quarters. In addition 
to the vessels already named, were the Ontario, Scourge, Fair 
American, and Asp. Neither of the ten were fit to cruise, and 
an ordinary eighteen-gun brig ought to have been able to cope 
with them all, in a good working breeze, in close quarters. At 
long shot, however, and in smooth water, they were not without 
a certain efficiency. As was proved in the end, in attacking bat- 
teries and in covering descents, they were even found to be ex- 
ceedingly serviceable." — Cooper's Naval History. 

In the cabinet at Washington, a plan of operations against 
Canada in the ensuing season, began to be discussed early in 
February, and an attack upon Kingston was to make an early 
and prominent part of these mover:. ents. The general outline of 
the campaign was communicated to General Dearborn, the com- 
mander-in-chief, on the 10th of February, which directed 4,000 
t roops to be assembled at Sackets Harbor, and 3,000 at Buffalo. 
The former of these was to be landed at Kingston, and after secur- 
ing that place and the shipping to proceed to York, with the view 



474 The War of 1812-15. 

of seizing the stores there collected, and the two frigates said to 
be there building. Towards the close of the month, General 
Brown received orders to call out several hundred militia, and 
Colonel Pike, then stationed on Lake Champlain, was directed 
to proceed, with four hundred of his command, in sleighs, by the 
nearest and best route, to Sackets Harbor. Captain Forsyth, 
having been driven out of Ogdensburgh on the 22d of February, 
soon after joined the forces at the harbor. Had Chauncey ar- 
rived in season, an attack upon Kingston, by crossing on the ice, 
would have been attempted; but he was detained several weeks 
in New York, and his presence was deemed necessary in this 
enterprise. 

General Dearborn arrived about the first of March, where he 
was informed that Sir George Prevost, having adjourned the 
provincial parliament, and arrived in Kingston, was making 
active preparations for offensive measures; that a force had been 
collected from Quebec, Montreal and Upper Canada, of from six 
to eight thousand men, and that an attack from Kingston might 
be shortly expected. An express was sent to hasten on the 
troops destined for the place, and the militia were hastily assem- 
bled to repel any attack that might be made. The force of 
every description, at Sackets Harbor on the 3d of March, was 
about 3,000 men. On the 9th, General Dearborn thus wrote to 
the secretary of war: 

Sir: "I have not yet had the honor of a visit from Sir G. Prevost. 
His whole force is concentrated at Kingston, probably amounting to six 
or seven thousand, about three thousand of whom are regular troops. 
The ice is good and we expect him every day, and every measure for 
preventing a surprise is in constant activity. The troops from Green- 
bush (upwards of 400) have arrived. I have heard nothing from Pike; 
lie should have been here yesterday. I have sent three expresses to 
meet him; neither has returned. I have suspicions of the express em- 
ployed by the quarter master general to convey the orders to Pike. The 
earliest measures were taken to convey a duplicate of his orders. I 
hope to hear from him to day. His arrival with 800 good troops would 
be very important at this time. The enemy are apprized of his movement. 

I begin to entertain some doubts whether Sir George will venture to 
attack us; but shall not relax in being prepared to give him a decent 
reception. I should feel easier if Pike should arrive in season. I am in 
want of officers of experience. My whole force, exclusive of seamen 
and marines, who will be confined to the vessels, and have no share in 
the action, until my force shall be worsted, amounts to nearly 3,000, 
exclusive of 450 militia, at Brownville, and on the road, leading from 
Kingston by land. Within two or three days I may have 300 more militia, 
from Rome and Utica. 

The ice will not probably be passable more than from six to ten days 
longer; it is not usually passable after the 15th of March. This unexpected 
movement of the enemy will effectually oppose the movements on our 
part, and I shall not deem it advisable to order Chandler to move at pre- 
sent. As soon as the fall of this place shall be decided, we shall be able to 



The War of 1812-15. 475 

determine on other measures. If we hold this place, we will command 
the lake, and he ahle to act in concert with the troops at Niagara, while 
Chandler's brigade, with such other troops as may assemble in Vermont, 
may induce a return of a considerable part of those troops that have 
left Lower Canada. 

When I ordered Pike to move, I directed General Chandler to have 
the provision at Plattshurgh moved to Burlington. There was a small 
proportion of our magazines at Plattshurgh; they are principally at Bur- 
lington and Whitehall." 

By the 14th, the apprehensions of attack had nearly subsided, 
and General Dearborn again wrote : 

" From the most i-ecent and probable information I have obtained, I 
am induced to believe that Sir George Prevost thinks it is too late to 
attack this place. He undoubtedly meditated a coup-de-main against 
the shipping here. All the apprehension is now at Kingston. Sir George 
has visited York and Niagara, and returned to Montreal. Several bodies 
of troops have passed up from Montreal ; but such precautions have been 
taken to prevent their number being ascertained, as to render it impos- 
sible to form any accurate opinion of their forces, or even to imagine 
veiy nearly what they amount to. From various sources I am perfectly 
satisfied, that they are not in sufficient force to attack this place, knowing, 
as they do, that we have collected a fine body of troops from Greenbush 
and Plattshurgh, and that the militia have been called in. 

We are probably just strong enough ou each side to defend, but not in 
sufficient force to hazard an offensive movement. The difference of 
attacking and being attacked, as it regards the contiguous posts of Kings- 
ton and Sackets Harbor, can not be estimated at less than three or four 
thousand men, arising from the circumstance of militia acting only on 
the defensive. 1 have ordered General Chandler with the 9th, 21st and 
25th regiments to march for this place; Clark's regiment, and a company 
of artillery to be left at Burlington, for the present, where the regiment 
will be filled in a few weeks. I have ordered the recruits for the three 
regiments that will march for this place, to be sent to Greenbush, and 
Colonel Lamed is ordered there to receive them with Backus' dis- 
mounted dragoons, aud other detachments from Pittsfield. 

On the 15th of March, a council of war was held, composed 
of the principal officers on the station, and the attack upon King- 
ston was formally abandoned until the cooperation of the fleet 
could be secured. The naval preparations necessary for the ac- 
complishment of these plans were actively prosecuted under the 
direction of Mr. Eckford, the president having, on the 3d of 
March, directed six sloops of war to be built on the lakes, and 
as many to be bought as might be needed for the service, and 
the sum of $900,000 was appropriated for this object. Se- 
veral ships on the ocean were laid up in our Atlantic ports, and 
their crews transferred to the lakes; the pay of seamen was ad- 
vanced twenty-five per cent, and the chief energies of the nation 
appeared to be directed to this frontier, as the probable theatre 
of momentous events in the coming campaign. On the 14th of 
April, the enemy launched two large vessels, and their naval 
forces received large accessions from the British fleet. 



476 The War of IS 12-15. 

On the 7th of April, the brig Jefferson was launched at Sack- 
ets Harbor, and on the 10th, the brig Jones. On the 9th, the 
keel of the General Pike was laid. The force on the 1st of 
March was said to number nearly 5,000 regulars and twelve 
months' volunteers, with 1,300 sailors, and 2,000 militia. On 
the 28th of March, the troops maneuvered on the ice; and on 
the middle of April, the ice had disappeared from the lake. On 
the 19th, the Growler sailed out to reconnoitre. Brigadier 
General John Chandler had arrived early in the month, and the 
forces assembled were thought sufficient to justify an attack upon 
the enemy. The post at York, at which place it was understood 
several vessels were building, was thought to offer an eligible 
point for beginning operations, and if taken would give us the 
command of the lake, from whence our forces could proceed to 
attack Fort George by land and water, while the troops at Buffalo 
should cross over and carry forts Erie and Chippewa, and join 
the army at Fort George, from whence the combined forces might 
concentrate upon Kingston without the apprehension of an ene- 
my in the rear. 

The opinion of the secretary of war on this subject is expressed 
in a letter to Gen. Dearborn, of March 29th: 

" The alteration of the plan of campaign, so as to make 
Kingston the last object, instead of making it the first, would 
appear to be necessary, or at least proper, but the force assigned 
to the attack of the upper posts is believed to be too small. 

Accident may prevent a cooperation of the corps of ButFalo. 
That sent from Sackets Harbor should have in itself the power 
of reducing forts George and Erie, and holding in check the 
militia who may be sent to support them. 

The ships can give little aid in the business, except merely in 
covering the landing. Double the number you propose sending 
would not be too many. Various considerations recommend the 
employment of a large and decisive force, and none that I can 
think of dissuade from it. If our first step in the campaign, and 
in the quarter from which most is expected, should fail, the dis- 
grace of our arms will be complete. The public will lose all 
confidence in us, and we shall even cease to have any in our- 
selves. The party who first opens a campaign has many ad- 
vantages over his antagonist, all of which, however, are the 
result of his being able to carry his whole force against a part 
of the enemy's. 

Washington carried his whole force against the Hessians in 
New Jersey, and, beating them, recovered that moral strength, 
that self-confidence, he had lost by many preceding disasters. 
We are now in that state of prostration that he was in, after he 
had crossed the Delaware; but like him, we may soon get on our 



The War of 1812-15. 477 

legs again, if we are able to give some hard blows at the open- 
ing of the campaign. In this we can not fail, provided the force 
we employ against his western posts be sufficiently heavy. They 
must stand or fall by their own strength. They are perfectly 
isolated, and out of the reach of reinforcements; send, therefore, 
a force that shall overwhelm them, that shall leave nothing to 
chance. If I had not another motive, I would carry my whole 
strength, merely that their first service should be a successful 
one. The good effects of this will be felt throughout the cam- 
paign. 

I have hastened to give you these thoughts, under a full con- 
viction of their usefulness; and shall only add, that there is no 
drawback upon this policy. When the fleet and army are gone, 
we have nothing at Sackets Harbor to guard, nor will the place 
present an object to the enemy. 

How then would it read, that we had lost our object on the 
Niagara, while we had another brigade at Sackets Harbor 
doing nothing?" 

On the 22d of April, about 1,700 troops under the immediate 
charge of General Z. M. Pike, were embarked on board the fleet 
of Commodore Chauncey, the whole being directed by General 
Dearborn. On the 25th, the fleet sailed, the destination being 
unknown to the most of those on board. 

On the day the expedition left Sackets Harbor, the following 
Brigade Order was issued by General Pike: 

" When the debarkation shall take place on the enemy's shore, Major 
Forsyth's light troops, formed in four platoons, shall be first landed. 
They will advance a small distance from the shore, and form the chain 
to cover the landing of the troops. They will not fire, unless they dis- 
cover the approach of a body of the enemy, but will make prisoners of 
every person who may be passing, and send to the general. They will be 
followed by the regimental platoons of the first brigade, with two pieces 
of Brook's artillery, one on the right and one on the left flank, covered 
by their musketry, and the small detachments of riflemen, of the 15th 
and 16th infantry. Then will be landed the three platoons of the reserve 
of the first brigade, under Major Swan ; then Major Eustis, with his train 
of artillery, covered by his own musketry; then Colonel M'Clure's vol- 
unteers in four platoons, followed by the 21st regiment, in six platoons. 
When the troops shall move in column, either to meet the enemy or take 
a position, it will be in the following order, viz: 1st, Forsyth's riflemen, 
with proper front and flank guards; the regiments of the first brigade, 
with their pieces; then three platoons of reserve; Major Eustis's train of 
artillery; volunteer corps; twenty-first regiment; each corps sending out 
proper flank-guards. When the enemy shall be discovered in front, the 
riflemen will form the chain, and maintain their ground, until they have 
the signal (the preparative) or receive orders to retire, at which they will 
retreat with the greatest velocity, and form equally on the two flanks of 
the regiments of the first brigade, and then renew their fire. The three 
reserve platoons of this line will form under the orders of Major Swan, 
one hundred yards in the rear of the colors, ready to support any part 



478 The War of 1812-15. 

which may show an unsteady countenance. Major Eustis and his train 
will form in the rear of this reserve, ready to act where circumstances 
may dictate. 

The second line will be composed of the 21st infantry, in six platoons, 
flanked by Colonel M'Clure's volunteers, equally divided, as light troops, 
the whole under the orders of Colonel Ripley. 

It is expected that every corps will be mindful of the honor of the 
American arms, and the disgraces which have recently tarnished our 
arms; and endeavor, by a cool and determined discharge of their duty, 
to support the one and wipe off the other. The riflemen in front will 
maintain their ground at all hazards, until ordered to retire, as will every 
corps of the army. With an assurance of being duly supported, should 
the commanding general find it prudent to withdraw the front line, he 
will give orders to retire by the heads of platoons, covered by the rifle- 
men ; and the second line will advance by the heads of platoons, pass the 
intervals, and form the line; call in the light troops, and renew the ac- 
tion : but the general may find it proper to bring up the second line, on 
one or both flanks, to charge in columns, or perform a variety of maneu- 
vers which it would be impossible to foresee. But as a general ride, 
whatever may be the directions of line at the commencement of the ac- 
tion, the corps will form as before directed. If they then advance in 
line, it may be in parallel echelons of platoons, or otherwise, as the 
ground or circumstances may dictate. 

No man will load until ordered, except the light troops in front, until 
within a short distance of the enemy, and then charge bayonets ; thus let- 
ting the enemy see, that we can meet them with their own weapons. 
Any man firing, or quitting his post, ivithoid orders, must be put to instant 
death, as an example may be necessary. Platoon officers will pay the 
greatest attention to the coolness and aim of their men in the fire; their 
regularity and dressing in the charge. The field officers will watch over 
the conduct of the whole. Courage and bravery in the field do not more 
distinguish the soldier, than humanity after victory; and whatever ex- 
amples the savage allies of our enemies may have given us, the general 
confidently hopes, that the blood of an unresisting or yielding enemy, 
will never stain the weapons of the soldiers of his column. 

The unoffending citizens of Canada are many of them our own coun- 
trymen, and the poor Canadians have been forced into the war. Their 
property, therefore, must be held sacred; and any soldier who shall so 
far neglect the honor of his profession as to be guilty of plundering the 
inhabitants, shall, if convicted, be punished with death. But the com- 
manding general assures the troops, that should they capture a large 
quantity of public stores, he will use his best endeavors to procure them 
a reward from his government. 

This order shall be read at the head of each corps, and every field 
officer shall carry a copy, in order that he may at any moment refer to 
it, and give explanations to his subordinates. 

All those found in arms in the enemy's country, shall be treated as 
enemies; but those who are peaceably following the pursuits of their va- 
rious vocations, friends — and their property respected." 

York, now the city of Toronto, and then the capital of Upper 
Canada, is situated on the north shore of the lake, a little west 
of the meridian of Niagara, and was founded by Governor Sim- 
coe, in 1793, as the provincial capital. It is situated on a small 
bay, formed by a low, narrow, sandy peninsula, stretching from 



The War of 18 12-15. 479 

the east in an oblique direction, for about six miles, and termi- 
nating in a curved point, nearly a mile west of the town, opposite 
the site of the barracks. It then had about three hundred houses, 
built mostly of wood, and many buildings belonging to govern- 
ment. 

The following account of the capture of the place, we derive 
from a letter written on the special injunction of General Pike, 
by one of his companions in arms, who fell wounded by his side. 
It was published soon after in the Aurora, and other papers: 

" Without the honor of a personal acquaintance, I address you 
at the particular order of the late General Pike, after he had 
been mortally wounded; his words were exactly these: / am 
mortally wounded; my ribs and back are stove in; write my 

friend D , and tell him what you know of the battle, and 

comfort my — . Some things else he said, on which I shall 
again write you; and many things he said for your ear have es- 
caped me, through the severity of my own bruises. As an order 
from General Pike, while living, was an obligation of duty for 
me to obey, I shall hardly disregard his injunctions, even though 
we have parted forever. 

We embarked on the 22d and 23d of April, but the weather 
being stormy, we returned into port, and sailed again on the 
25th, and arrived at York, in Upper Canada, on the 27th, about 
seven o'clock, a. m., and immediately prepared to land opposite 
the old site of Fort Toronto. A body of British grenadiers were 
paraded on the shore, and the Glengary Fencibles, a corps which 
had been disciplined with great pains, for six months past, ap- 
peared at another point. Bodies of Indians were perceived in 
large groups, in different directions, and a considerable number 
in some woods and underwoods on our leeward flank. About 
the site of the old French fort of Toronto, of which scarcely any 
vestiges at present remain, we could discern a few horsemen, 
who we perceived afterwards moving into thetown, where strong 
field works had been thrown up to oppose our landing. As soon 
as the horsemen had entered the town, we saw the Indians mov- 
ing in gangs along the skirts of the woods, under the direction 
of British officers, taking posts at stations pointed out to them, 
apparently calculated with some skill as lo the point at which the 
water and the weather must compel us to land. 

After these Indians, acting as tirailleurs, were thus disposed, we 
perceived very distinctly, the regulars moving out of their works 
in open columns of platoons, and marching along the bank in 
that order. When they reached the plain of the old fort, 
Toronto, they were wheeled off by heads of platoons into the 
woods, and soon appeared in the same order below the plain, 
just at the position where our troops were under the necessity of 



480 The War of 1812-15. 

landing. Major 'Forsyth and his excellent and gallant rifle 
corps, who had been placed in two large bateaux, pulled un- 
dauntedly towards the clear ground, where he had been ordered 
to land; but he was forced by the strength of the wind, a con- 
siderable distance below his destined point. The fire of musket- 
ry and rifles here commenced from the shore; the enemy being 
within a few feet of the water, and in a considerable degree 
masked by the woods and copse. 

Here Major Forsyth ordered his men to rest for a few moments 
upon their oars, and soon opened a galling fire upon the enemy. 
In the moment while Forsyth's men were lying on their oars, and 
priming, General Pike was standing on the deck, and impatient 
at the apparent pause of an instant, and seeing that the rifle 
corps had been driven by the wind beyond the point at which 

they were to have embarked, he exclaimed: 'By ! I can't 

stay here any longer!' and addressing himself to his staff, 'come, 
jump into the boat,' which we immediately did; the commodore 
having reserved a boat specially for him and his suite. The lit- 
tle coxswain was ordered immediately to steer for the middle of 
the fray, and the balls whistled gloriously around; probably 
their number was owing to seeing so many officers in the same 
boat; but we laughed at their clumsy efforts as we pressed for- 
ward with well-pulled oars. 

The infantry had, according to orders, embarked at the same 
time, and formed platoons as they reached the shore. The ge- 
neral took command of the first platoon he reached, and formed 
it below, and ordered the whole to prepare for a charge as soon 
as we reached the top of the bank. We proceeded in high spir- 
its, and mounted the bank under a volley of their musketry and 
rifle shot; but we had not time to form our platoon completely, 
when the British grenadiers showed us their backs. At the very 
moment of their turning tail upon us, the sound of Forsyth's bu- 
gles was heard with peculiar delight, as it was the indication of 
his success. The effect of the bugle upon the nerves of the 
British Indian allies was electric; for they no sooner heard it 
than they gave a diabolical yell, and fled in all directions. The 
Glengary corps skirmished with Forsyth's, while the infantry 
were landing, and Brigade-Major Hunter formed the troops for 
action as they landed and reached the plain. The volunteer 
corps, commanded by Colonel Maclure, flanked the reserve, and 
the light artillery, commanded by Major Eustis, acting as infan- 
try, covered the left. 

It is proper to state in this place, the gallant and masterly co- 
operation of Commodore Chauncey, and the naval squadron 
under his command. Pie sent his schooners, mounting heavy 
metal, to cover the landing, and kept up so well-directed, and 



The War of 1812-15. 481 

incessant a fire of grape on the woods, as to effectually cover 
our right flank and afford us great facility in forming our pla- 
toons, besides producing the utmost consternation among the 
Indians. A shot from one of the schooners killed a horse under 
the aid of the British general; but owing to the shallowness of 
the water, neither the ship nor the brig could be brought in to 
participate in the action; but the commodore himself was, through 
the whole of the action, in his boat, encouraging, and giving 
orders to the different schooners. The navy lost two gallant 
midshipmen, and about twenty seamen were killed and wounded 
in the service of landing us. The troops ordered to land by General 
Pike, when he went on shore, were the three companies of Captain 
Hopsock (who was mortally wounded in the boat), Captain 
Scott, and Captain Young, of the 15th regiment, United States 
infantry, all under the command of Major King, of the same re- 
giment (the same who gallantly distinguished himself at Queens- 
town). 

Their orders were to reinforce Major Forsyth, and effect a 
landing, and they were forbidden to load or use powder. The 
riflemen of Forsyth, as the infantry came up, opened a heavy 
and effectual fire upon the enemy, and the three companies landed 
in the most complete style. The enemy gave way before our 
troops could come to the bayonet's point, and were pursued up 
the bank by our troops. At the top of the bank a fresh body 
of British grenadiers (said to be the Sth, or king's grenadiers) 
made a formidable charge upon this column of ours, and com- 
pelled us, for an instant, to retire; but our troops instantly ral- 
lied and returned to the charge, and with the most complete 
success. Not a man of the grenadiers escaped our fire or charge; 
and our troops, just reinforced by the remainder of the 15th, 
remained undisturbed masters of the bank. This reinforcement 
brought the colors of the 15th, which accompanied the platoon 
of Captain Steele. The enemy presented a fresh front; the troops 
were instantly formed for the charge by Major King, who gave 
them Yankee Doodle; but the enemy did not like our music, nor 
our pikes, any better than our rifles; they gave way, and fled in 
the utmost disorder. 

As soon as our force were all landed and collected, we were 
formed into platoons, and marched in that order towards the en- 
emy's works, flanked by the rifle corps. Our march was by the 
lake road, in sections; but the route was so much intersected by 
streams and rivulets, the bridges, over which, had been destroyed 
by the enemy as they retreated, that we were considerably "re- 
tarded in our progress. We collected logs, and, by severe efforts, 
at length, contrived to pass over one field piece and a howitzer, 
which were placed at the head of our column, in charge of 



482 The War of 1812-15. 

Captain Fanning, of the 3d artillery, and thus we proceeded 
through a spacious wood, as we merged from which, we were 
saluted by a battery of 24 pounders; but, except some pikes 
broken and some bayonets bent, these guns gave us no annoyance. 
The general then ordered one of his aids (Frazer) and a ser- 
geant, to proceed to the right of the battery, in order to discover 
how many men were in the works. We did so, and reported to 
him the number, and that they were spiking their own guns 
towards the shipping. 

The general immediately ordered Captain Walworth, of the 
16th, with his company of grenadiers, to make the assault. Wal- 
worth gallantly ordered his men to trail arms, and advanced 
at the accelerated pace, but at the moment they were ordered to 
recover, and charge the enemy, the enemy broke in the utmost 
confusion, leaving - several men wounded, on the ground, which 
they abandoned. We then proceeded in admirable order on a 
gradual ascent, when a fire was opened upon us of round and 
cannister, from the quarters of the British governor. The gene- 
ral here ordered the troops to lie close, while the artillery batte- 
ry under Major Eustis was brought to the front, and silenced the 
enemy's battery. 

The firing very soon ceased altogether, and we were expect- 
ing a flag of surrender, at the very moment when a terrible ex- 
plosion of the British magazine took place.* The explosion 
was stupendous and awful, and at the instant the common sup- 
position was a subterranean mine. The general had just aided 
in removing a wounded man, with his own hands, and sat down 
on a stump with a British sergeant we had taken prisoner, whom 
the general, with Captain Nicholson and myself, were examin- 
ing, when the explosion took place. The general, Captain Nich- 
olson and the British sergeant, were all mortally wounded; and 
I was so much injured in the general crash, that it is surprising 
how I survived; probably I owe my escape to the corpulency of 
the British sergeant, whose body was thrown upon mine by the 
concussion. 

Brigade-Major Hunt, assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell, 
of the third artillery, who acted as a volunteer on the expedi- 
tion, formed the troops, and were ready to give or receive a 
charge, in five minutes after the explosion. 

The wounds of General Pike were of such a nature as to dis- 
qualify him from all further service, and the command devolved 
on Colonel Pearce of the 16th infantry, as the senior officer, who 
sent a flag demanding an immediate surrender at discretion. 
They made only one stipulation, which was granted without hesi- 

*The magazine contained 500 barrels of powder, many cart loads of stone, 
and an immense quantity of iron shells and shot. 



The War of 1812-15. 483 

tation — that private property should be respected. The British 
general made his escape, and a body of regular troops with him 
— in what direction I have not heard. 

When the surgeons were carrying their wounded general and 
his aids from the field, our troops, which had just formed, gave 
a tremendous huzza! The general turned his head anxiously, to 
enquire what that was for; a sergeant,who accompanied him, said — 
The British union-jack is coming down, General; the stars are go- 
ing up; — he heaved a heavy sigh of ecstacy, and smiled, even 
amidst the anguish which must have been inseparable from the 
state of his wounds. He was carried on board the Pert schooner, 
together with his aid-de-camp, Frazer, and thence on board the 
commodore's ship, accompanied by the commodore, who came to 
attend him. On board the commodore's ship his gallant spirit 
fled, another Montgomery in fate; not, indeed, perishing by the 
valor of a gallant foe, but falling, even in the arms of victory, 
by the barbarous revenge of a baffled and defeated enemy. 

As the general was breathing his last, the British standard 
was brought to him; he made a sign to have it placed under his 
head, and died without a groan, though his sufferings must have 
been extremely severe. 

General Pike's body was embalmed at York, and conveyed to 
Sackets Harbor, where it was interred in the magazine of Fort 
Tompkins, with all the stately pomp of military honor, amidst 
the regrets of every good man. Captain Nicholson, of Mary- 
land (an inestimable young man, who was killed by his side), 
his beloved aid and pupil, was buried in the same grave, and at 
the same time, by order of the commanding general, in testimony 
of his respect for the deceased." 

General SheafFe commanded the British troops, militia and 
Indians. Previous to the explosion the enemy had retired into 
the town, except a party of regulars, who were a little too late, 
and it is said that about forty of them were killed by the ex- 
plosion. General SheafFe moved off with the regulars, leaving 
the commanding officer of the militia to make such terms of 
surrender as he could. No resistance was offered after the ex- 
plosion. 

The Duke of Gloucester, in port undergoing repairs, and seve- 
ral gun boats, with an immense quantity of provisions and naval 
stores, were the fruits of this capture. A large ship on the stocks 
and nearly planked up, and a quantity of naval stores were fired 
by the enemy upon their retreat. There not being a sufficient 
number of transports to remove the prisoners, about five hundred 
were released upon their parol. General Sheaffe's baggage and 
papers fell into the hands of General Dearborn; and a human 
scalp was found suspended, with the mace, over the chair of the 
speaker, in the legislative council chamber. 



484 The War of 1812-15. 

The following account of killed and wounded was soon after 
published: 

By the Americans, in the battle, 14 killed and 32 wounded; by 
the explosion, 38 killed and 222 wounded; by the British, 200 
killed and wounded. 700 prisoners of militia, and 50 regulars. 
Of the navy, 11 sailors were killed and 14 wounded. 

General Boyd was soon after assigned the command of the 
brigade of General Pike. The government barracks, &c, were 
destroyed. 

The terms of surrender were as follows : 

" That the troops, regular and militia, at this post, and the na- 
val officers and seamen, shall be surrendered prisoners of war. 

The troops, regular and militia, to ground their arms immedi- 
ately on parade, and the naval officers and seamen to be imme- 
diately surrendered. That all public stores, naval and military, 
shall be immediately given up to the commanding officers of the 
army and navy of the United States; that all private property 
shall be guaranteed to the citizens of the town of York; that all 
papers belonging to the civil officers shall be retained by them; 
that such surgeons as may be procured to attend the wounded of 
the British regulars, and Canadian militia, shall not be considered 
prisoners of war. 

That one lieutenant colonel, one major, thirteen captains, nine 
lieutenants, eleven ensigns, one quarter master, one deputy ad- 
jutant general of the militia, nineteen sergeants, four corporals, 
and two hundred and four rank and file; of the field train depart- 
ment, Wm. Dunbar; of the provincial navy, Captain Frs. Gover- 
neaux, Lieutenant Green, Midshipmen John Ridout, Louis Baupre ; 
Clerk James Langdon, one boatswain, fifteen naval artificers, of 
his majesty's regular troops; Lieutenant de Koven, one sergeant- 
major; and of the royal artillery, one bombardier and three 
gunners, shall be surrendered as prisoners of war, and accounted 
for in the exchange of prisoners, between the United States and 
Great Britain." 

Having taken on board all the naval stores that could be trans- 
ported, the place was evacuated, and the army was taken to Nia- 
gara. Chauncey returned to Sackets Harbor on the 13th of 
May, and, having taken on board 350 troops, sailed on the 22d 
for Niagara, where he arrived on the 25th. 

The descent upon York provoked the resentment of the enemy, 
who, knowing that Sackets Harbor had been weakened by the 
withdrawal of troops to the Niagara, planned an attack upon 
the former, well knowing that the capture or destruction of the 
vessels there building, and the stores collected, would at once 
give them the supremacy in the campaign, and effectually sup- 
press any further offensive operations of the Americans for 
ome time. 



The War of 18 12-15. 435 

Sackets Harbor was at this time but poorly prepared for de- 
fense. Fort Tompkins, occupying the site of the present resi- 
dence of the commanding officer of the station, was manned by 
about two hundred dismounted dragoons, under Colonel Backus, 
a detachment of forty or fifty artillerists, under Lieutenant Ket- 
chum, and seventy or eighty infantry invalids, recruits, and parts 
of companies. A little east of the village was Fort Volunteer, 
a slight w r ork that had been chiefly erected by a company of 
exempts. General Dearborn had written to Brigadier General 
Brown, to assume the command, and make provisions for a de- 
fense, which letter was not answered, from motives of delicacy 
towards Colonel Backus, but preparations were made for resist- 
ance, if required. 

Between the village and Horse Island, a mile distant, was a thin 
wood that had been partly cut over, and was filled with brush, 
logs, and stumps. Opposite the island was a clearing of about 
four acres, and the island itself, which embraces twenty-nine 
acres, and lies at the entrance of the bay, was covered with a 
growth of timber, and at that time connected with the main land 
by a bar, that afforded a crossing, nearly or quite dry. The beach 
opposite, was composed, then as now, of a ridge of gravel, which 
at that time made a natural breastwork, four or five feet high. 
A short distance back, and further south on the shore, a strip of 
woods extended, which had been obstructed as much as possible 
several days previous, by felling trees in every direction. 

The enemy having made preparations at Kingston for an at- 
tack, embarked 1,200 men, under Sir George Prevost, on the 
evening of May 27th, on board the ships Wolfe, a new vessel of 
24 guns; the Royal George, 24 guns; the brig Earl of Moira, 
IS guns; and the schooners Prince Regent, Simcoe and Seneca, 
mounting each several guns; two gun boats, and about forty 
barges, under Sir James L. Yeo ; and on the following morning 
(Friday, May 28th) appeared in the offing, having been dis- 
covered by the schooner Lady of the Lake, that had been cruising 
on the lake, to watch the motions of the enemy. 

As this vessel came in, signal guns were fired, and upon her 
arrival Colonel Backus dispatched an express to General Brown, 
who, since the expiration of his six months' term, had been re- 
siding on his farm in Brownville, eight miles from the harbor. 
He immediately repaired to that place, and issued summary or- 
ders for rallying the neighboring militia, and preparing the place 
for defence. Alarm guns were fired, and dragoons dispatched in 
every direction to hasten the arrival of succor, and especially 
that of Colonel Tuttle, who was known to be advancing with 
several hundred regulars. No landing was attempted by the 
enemy on the 28th, their attention being drawn off by a fleet of 
31 



486 The War of 1812-15. 

American barges from Oswego, of which twelve were taken, 
their crews having fled to the woods, and seven, by outsailing 
the enemy, got safely into port, thus increasing the disposable 
force of General Brown. These recruits proved to be a part of 
a regiment of infantry under Colonel Aspinwall, on his way by 
water from Oswego to Sackets Harbor, who did not discover the 
enemy until he was doubling Six Town Point. As the route of 
those that landed was very circuitous, they did not arrive until 
nine o'clock in the evening. 

The militia soon began to assemble, and as fast as they arrived 
they were armed, and sent to Horse Island, which was the point 
at which the enemy were expected to land. The number that 
came in during the day, was about 600, fresh from their homes, 
and without discipline, experience or organization, and although 
not wanting in patriotism or courage, yet lacked that assurance 
which an acquaintance with military affairs can alone confer. 
These, with about 300 regulars, and 100 of Aspinwall's party, 
fatigued with their day's march, comprised the force by which 
the enemy were to be opposed. 

The night was spent by General Brown in making disposi- 
tions for the attack, which circumstances rendered highly pro- 
bable would be madeavhere the militia had been posted. The 
shore, for most of the way between this place and the village, is 
an abrupt precipice, fifteen or twenty feet high; and the fleet, to 
land above the village, must have to pass the batteries on shore, 
and would require a favorable wind. During the night the ene- 
my landed about forty Indians, under Lieutenant Anderson, on 
the main land in Henderson Bay, with the view of attacking the 
rear of the militia, and towards morning the militia were with- 
drawn from the island to the shore opposite. Camp fires had 
been built along the shore early in the evening, but these were 
ordered to be put out. 

About four hundred militia, with a six pounder, under Colonel 
Mills, of the Albany volunteers, were stationed near the shore 
opposite the island, with orders to reserve their fire until the 
enemy should approach within pistol shot. The remainder of 
the militia under Colonel Gershom Tuttle, were posted in the 
edge of the woods, back of the clearing, and Colonel Backus, 
with his dismounted dragoons, was stationed in the skirt of the 
woods near the village, with orders to advance through the woods 
towards Horse Island, the moment it was known that the enemy 
had landed. Colonel Aspinwall, with his men, was posted to 
the left of Backus; and the artillerists under Lieutenant Ketchum 
were stationed in Fort Tompkins, with no other armament than 
a 32 pounder, mounted on a pivot. The militia on the shore 
were directed that, in case of being driven from their position, 



The War of 1812-15. 487 

they should fall back into the woods, and annoy the right flank 
of the enemy, as he advanced towards the town. Colonel Tut- 
tle was directed, in the same event, to attack their rear, and de- 
stroy their boats. The night was spent in making these arrange- 
ments, and all parties anxiously awaited the approach of day. 

The morning of the 29th dawned beautifully clear and calm. 
Not a breath of air ruffled the placid surface of the lake, and 
there existed that peculiar state of density and uniformity in the 
atmosphere, in which sounds are propagated to a great distance, 
as is sometimes noticed before a storm; and the report of small 
arms in the action which followed, was heard with remarkable 
distinctness on the hills in Rutland, while the discharge of can- 
non echoed clear and far over the country, to distances since un- 
paralleled, and was heard through Lewis, and even in Oneida 
County. This very naturally excited throughout the country 
the greatest anxiety and alarm, and the solicitude of families for 
the fate of fathers, husbands and sons, who had been hastily sum- 
moned from home, was such as could scarcely endure the sus- 
pense which it occasioned. 

The calm prevented the enemy from bringing their vessels to 
co-operate in the attack, and was one of the causes that influ- 
enced their subsequent retreat. As soon as it was light, the ene- 
my were seen approaching in thirty-three large boats, under cover 
of gun boats, directing their course to the outside of the island, 
where they landed and formed without opposition; but in cross- 
ing the bar that connected it with the main land, they encoun- 
tered a galling fire, and lost several in killed and wounded, which 
they subsequently carried off. As the landing was being effect- 
ed, the heavy gun in Fort Tompkins was brought to bear with 
considerable effect upon the enemy's column. 

The fire of the militia was at first well directed and deadly, 
and was answered by discharges of musketry and by two small 
cannon loaded with grape shot; but Colonel Mills, who was sta- 
tioned a short distance towards the village, with his cannon, fell 
early in the engagement, and his death, with the unaccustomed 
whistling of balls that cut down the branches of the trees around 
them, struck with terror the inexperienced militia, and without 
waiting to return the fire or recover from the panic, they turned 
and fled towards the town in the greatest confusion. This retreat 
was not entirely general. Captain Samuel McNitt, who had been 
stationed with his company on the extreme left of the flanking 
party of the militia, not noticing the movements of his comrades, 
continued his firing after some moments longer, and before he was 
aware he found himself and his party alone, and in danger of being 
cut off by the enemy. General Brown, finding himself nearly alone, 
with no support but this company, retired towards the village, 



488 The War of 1812-15. 

directing those that could be rallied to annoy the advancing 
column of the enemy as much as possible. The enemy having 
gained the beach and dispersed the militia, formed in good order, 
and marched towards the town. 

They were soon met by the troops of Colonel Backus, who 
had advanced to dispute their progress, and who gallantly en- 
countered and returned their fire, retiring slowly before them 
through the half cleared woods. General Brown had succeeded 
in rallying about a hundred militia, with the aid of Caleb West- 
cott, a citizen, and others, and had joined the detachment of 
Backus; but at this juncture, happening to look towards the ship- 
yard, he was surprised to see huge volumes of smoke issuing 
from the store houses that contained the spoils of York. Not 
knowing but that the enemy might have gained his rear, he has- 
tened to the spot, and ascertained that the disastrous panic of the 
militia had been communicated to those in charge, and a report 
had reached Lieutenant Chauneey of the navy, that all was lost, 
and upon the faith of this rumor he had given orders to fire the 
buildings, an act which the most extreme and desperate issue of 
affairs could alone justify, Learning the cause of the confla- 
gration, and somewhat relieved by the knowledge that the ene- 
my were still but on one side, he returned, giving directions to 
Lieutenant Ketchum in Fort Tompkins, to maintain that post as 
long as the heat of the flames would permit. The regulars of 
Colonel Backus felt their courage renewed, upon learning the 
nature of the accident that had given a natural alarm, and con- 
tinued steadily to oppose the advance of the enemy, who had 
now gained the clearing next the village. Very soon after, 
Colonel Backus fell, mortally wounded, and was borne off the 
field; his troops taking possession of some log barracks, and 
continuing their resistance. 

The enemy had throughout evinced great courage and cool- 
ness, and w r ere under the immediate command of Captain Gray, 
of the quarter-master general's department, who was advancing 
in front of the ranks, and walking backwards, waving his sword 
for his troops to follow, and shouting, Come on, boys; the day is 
ours! Remember York! when he suddenly fell, wounded, and 
immediately expired. 

At this moment, the signal for retreat was given from the 
fleet, and the enemy hastily retreated to their boats. This re- 
treat is said to have been in part caused by hearing a report of 
small arms on the right, from the rallied militia, but which the 
enemy mistook for a reinforcement of 450 regulars which they 
had learned was advancing under Colonel Tuttle, and was then 
within a mile of the place. Their arrival would at once put an 
end to the contest, by giving us the advantage of numbers. The 



The War of 1812-15. 489 

enemy on their retreat removed a part of their wounded, and, 
having re-embarked, they at about 10 o'clock sent a flag demand- 
ing a surrender of the place which they had been unable to cap- 
ture, and were of course refused. They however were promised 
that decent attention should be paid to the dead, and humane 
treatment to the wounded. They shortly after sent another flag 
requesting to send surgeons to their wounded, which was denied, 
as they still seemed not to have abandoned the attack, and were 
laying by in their barges; but shortly after, they put off to the 
fleet, which lay about five miles from the town, and made sail for 
Kingston. Both Sir George Prevost and Sir James Yeo are 
said to have landed during the engagement. 

The loss of the British was 150 in killed and wounded; 25 of 
their privates were found dead, 2 captains and 20 privates were 
wounded, and, including the wounded, 2 captains, 1 ensign and 
32 privates were taken prisoners. Our loss was 150 killed, 
wounded and missing. The enemy took a few prisoners, and 
one man was found killed and scalped in the w ? oods by the In- 
dians. 

The flames of the burning stores were subdued as quickly as 
possible, but not till they had consumed half a million of dol- 
lars' worth of property. The ship Pike, then on the stocks, was 
saved. The prize schooner, the Duke of Gloucester, was saved 
by Lieutenant Talman, of the army, who boarded it, extinguishing 
the tire, and brought her from under the flames of the store houses. 
This heroic conduct will be appreciated when it is known that a 
large quantity of gunpowder was on board. The schooners 
Fair American and the Pert, cut their cables and retreated up 
the river, and several of the guns on Navy Point were spiked. 
Had it not been for this disastrous mistake, our success would 
have been complete. Colonel Backus survived eight days, and 
hopes of his recovery were entertained, but mortification super- 
vened. 

We will close our account of this battle, by giving the official 
reports of the commanding officers of the two armies: 

" Sackets Harbor, May 29, 1813. 
Dear Sir: We were attacked at the dawn of this day, by a British 
regular force of at least 900 men, most probably 1,200. They made good 
their landing at Horse Island. The enemy's fleet consisted of two ships, 
four schooners, and thirty large open boats. We are completely victor- 
ious. The enemy lost a considerable number of killed and wouuded on 
the field, and among the number, several officers of distinction. After 
having reembarked, they sent a flag, desiring us to have their killed and 
wounded attended to. I made them satisfied on that subject. Americans 
trill be distinguished for humanity and bravery. Our loss is not numerous, 
but serious from the great worth of those who have fallen. Colonel 
Mills was shot dead at the commencement of the action, and Colonel^ 
Backus, of the 1st regiment of light dragoons, nobly fell at the head of 
the regiment, as victory was declaring for us. I will not presume to 

/ 



490 The War of 1812-15. 

praise this regiment. Their gallant conduct on this day merits much 
more than praise. The new ship, and Commodore Cliauncey's prize, 
the Duke of Gloucester, are yet safe in Sackets Harbor. Sir George Prevost 
landed and commanded in person. Sir James Yeo commanded the 
enemy's fleet. In haste yours, Jacob Brown." 

His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. 

Head Quarters, Sackets Harbor, 
June 1, 1813. 

Sir: "You will have received my despatch on the 29th lilt., written 
from the field of battle, and stating generally, that this post had been at- 
tacked by Sir George Prevost, and that we had succeeded in repulsing 
him, principally owing to the gallantry of Colonel Backus and the regular 
troops under his command. Now I beg leave to offer to you the events 
of that day more in detail. 

On the 25th ultimo, I received a letter from General Dearborn, request- 
ing me to repair to this post for the purpose of taking command. Knowing 
that Lieutenant Colonel Backus, an officer of the first regiment of 
dragoons, and of experience, was here, I hesitated, as I would do no act 
which might wound his feelings. In the night of the 27th I received a 
note from this officer, by Major Swan, deputy quarter-master-general, 
joining in the request already made by Major General Dearborn. I 
could no longer hesitate, and accordingly arrived at this post early in the 
morning of the 28th. These circumstances will explain how I came to 
be in command upon this occasion. Knowing well the ground, my ar- 
rangements for defence, in the event of an attack, were soon made. 

In the course of the morning of the 28th, Lieutenant Chauncey, of the 
navy, came in from the lake, firing guns of alarm. Those of the same 
character, intended to bring in the militia, were fired from the posts. 
The enemy's fleet soon after appeared, accompanied by a large nunuVr 
of boats. Believing that he would land on the peninsula, commonly 
called Horse Island, I determined to meet him at the water's edge with 
such militia as I could collect, and the Albany volunteers, under the 
command of Lieutenant Colonel Mills; Lieutenant Colonel Backus, with 
the regulars, formed a second line; the care of Fort Tompkins was 
committed to the regular artillerists and f-ome volunteers, and that of 
Navy Point to Lieutenant Chauncey of the navy. If driven from my 
position, Lieutenant Colonel Backus was ordered to advance and meet 
the head of the enemy's column, while rallying my corps. I was to fall 
on its flanks. If unable here to resist the enemy's attack, Lieutenant 
Chauncey was in that case to destroy the stores, &c, and retire to the 
60iith shore of the bay, east of Fort Volunteer, while I proceeded to 
occupy that fort as our dernier resort. 

In the course of the 27th and during the nights of the 28th and 29th 
ultimo, a considerable militia force came in, and were ord red to the 
water side near Horse Island, on which was Lieutenant Colonel Mills 
and his volunteers. Our strength at this point was now 500 men — all 
anxious for battle, as far as profession would go. The moment it was 
light enough to discover the approach of the enemy, we found his ships 
in line between Horse Island and Stony Point, and in a few minutes 
nlterwards, 33 large boats, filled with troops, came off to the Larger In- 
dian or Garden Island, under cover of the fire of his gun boats. My 
orders were, that the troops should lie close and reserve their fire till 
the enemy had approached so near that every shot might hit its object. 
It is, however, impossible to execute such orders with raw troops unac- 
customed to subordination. My orders were in this case disobeyed. The 
whole line fired, and not without effect — but in the moment while I wub 



The War of 1812-15. 491 

contemplating this, to my utter astonishment, they rose from their cover 
and fled. Colonel Mills fell gallantly in brave but in vain endeavors to 
stop his men. I was personally more fortunate. Gathering together 
about 100 militia, under the immediate command of Captain M'Nitt of 
that corps, we threw ourselves on the rear of the enemy's flank, and I 
trust, did some execution. It was during this last movement that the 
regulars under Colonel Backus first engaged the enemy, nor was it long 
before they defeated him. 

Hurrying to this point of action, I found the battle still raging, but with 
obvious advantage on our side. The result of the action, so glorious for 
the officers and soldiers of the regular army, has already been commu- 
nicated ii letter of the 29th. Had not General Prevost retreated 
most rapidly under the guns of his vessels, he would never have returned 
to Kingston. 

One thing in this business is to be seriously regretted. In the midst 
of the conflict, fire was ordered to be set to the navy barracks and stores. 
This was owing to the infamous conduct of those who brought informa- 
tion to Lieutenant Chauncey, that the battle was lost, and that to prevent 
the stores from falling into the enemy's hands, they must be destroyed. 

The enemy's force consisted of 1,000 picked meu, led by Sir George 
Prevost in person. Their fleet consisted of the new ship Wolfe, the 
Royal George, the Prince Regent, EarlofMoira, two armed schooners, and 
their gun and other boats. 

Of the officers who distinguished themselves, I can not but repeat the 
name of Lieutenant Colonel Backus, who, praised be God! yet lives. 
Captain M'Nitt's conduct was noble; he well deserves to be placed in 
the regular army. Major Swan, of the army, served as my adjutant 
general, and was highly useful. Lieutenant Chauncey is a brave and 
honorable man. To him no blame can attach for what happened at the 
Navy Point. He was deceived. Lieutenant Colonel Tuttle was in march 
for this post, but with every exertion was unable to reach it in time to 
take part in the action. This is felt by the Colonel and every officer of 
his detachment as a misfortune. 

At the moment I am closing this communication, Commodore Chaun- 
cey has arrived with his squadron. This renders my longer stay here 
unnecessary. I shall therefore immediately return to my home. 

I am, sir, with the highest respect, &c. Jacob Brown, 

Brigadier General of the N. Y. Militia. 

Hon. John Armstrong Secretary of War. 

Report of the killed, wounded and missing in the action of the 29th 
May, 1813, at Sacket's Harbor. 

Killed. — 20 privates, regulars, and 1 volunteer. 

Jfounded. — 1 lieutenant colonel, 3 second lieutenants, 1 ensign, 7 non- 
commissioned lofficers, 2 musicians and 68 privates, regulars; and 1 musi- 
cian, and 2 privates, volunteers. 

Missing. — 2 non-commissioned officers, 7 privates, regulars; 1 non- 
commissioned officer, 1 musician, and 15 privates, volunteers. 

Aggregate loss. — 110 regulars and 21 volunteers; number not known, 
but not to exceed 25 militia. Total 156. 

About 4C0 of the regular troops sustained the heat of the action; these 
consisted chiefly of the 1st regiment of light dragoons, some of the 9th, 
21st, and a few of the 23d infantry, 3d and light artillery. 



492 The War of 1812-15. 

Report of the enemy's loss in the action of the 29th May, 1813, 
at Sackets Harbor. 
Adjutant General Gray, Colonel Mood}', Major Edwards, 1 captain, 
and 25 rank and file found dead in the field. 

2 captains and 20 rank and file found wounded in the field. 

3 captains, 1 ensign and 32 rank and file made prisoners. 

In addition to the above, many were killed and wounded in their 
boats by the militia and Albany volunteers, while effecting a landing; 
a number were likewise carried off the field by the enemy, previous to 
the commencement of his retreat. 

Head Quarters, Kingston, ) 

Adjutant General's Office, 30th May, 1813. $ 
General Orders: His Excellency, the commander of the forces, 
considers it an act of justice due to the detachment placed under the 
command of Col. Baynes, to express his entire approbation of their con- 
duct in the recent attack made upon Sackets Harbor at day break on the 
morning of the 29th inst. The regularity and patient firmness exhibited 
by the troops under circumstances of peculiar privation and fatigue, 
have been exceeded only by their intrepid gallantry in action, forcing a 
passage at the point of the bayonet, through a thickly wooded country, 
affording strong positions to the enemy, but not affording a single spot 
of cleared ground favorable for the operations of the troops. The woods 
were filled with infantry, supported by field pieces; and an incessant, 
heavy and destructive fire from a numerous and almost invincible foe, 
did not arrest the determined advance of the troops, who, after taking 
three field pieces, six pounders, from the enemy, drove them in a spirit- 
ed charge to seek shelter within the block-houses of his enclosed ibrts, 
and induced him to set fire to his store-houses. Unfortunately, light and 
adverse winds prevented the cooperation of the larger vessels of the 
fleet. The gun boats under the direction of Capt. Mulcaster rendered every 
assistance in their power, to support the landing and advance of the 
troops, but proved unequal to silence the guns of the enemy's batteries, 
or to have any effect on their block-house, and it being found impracti- 
cable, without their assistance and the cooperation of the ships, to carry 
their fort by assault, the troops were reluctantly ordered to leave a 
beaten enemy, whom they had driven before them for upwards of three 
hours, and who did not venture to offer the slightest opposition to the 
reembarkation of the troops, which was effected with perfect order. 

The grenadier company of the 100th regiment, commanded by Capt. 
Burke, to which was attached a subaltern's detachment of the Royal 
Scotts, led the column with undaunted gallantry, supported by a detach- 
ment of the King's, under Major Evans, which nobly upheld the high 
established character of that distinguished corps. The detachment of the 
104th regiment, under Major Moodie, behaved with the utmost gallantry 
and spirit, and their example was followed by Capt. McPhcrson's com- 
pany of the Glengary light infantry. The detachment of Canadian Vol- 
tigeurs under Major Harriot, behaved with a degree of spirit and stead- 
iness so as to justify expectation of their becoming a highly useful and 
valuable corps. 

The two divisions of the detachment were most ably commanded by 
Col. Young of the King's, and Major Drummond of the 104th regiment. 

Commodore Sir James Yeo conducted the brigades of boats to the 
attack and accompanying the troops on their advance, directed the op- 
eration of the gun-boats. The enemy had a few days before received 
strong reinforcements of troops, by the report of the prisoners, and a 



The War of 1812-15. 493 

corps of five hundred men arrived the night preceding the attack; and 
from every source of information, his force must have been quadruple in 
numbers to the detachments taken from the garrison of Kingston. 

Capt. Gray, acting deputy quartermaster general, was killed close to 
the enemy's block-house. In him the army have lost an active and in- 
telligent officer. Returns of killed and wounded have not been received 
from the corps. 

By his excellency's command. 

Edward Bayjmes, Adjutant General. 

The fleet have returned this morning, and landed the troops, with four 
American officers, and about 150 soldiers, prisoners of war. 

By letters which have been seen, we learn that no more than 750 men 
of British troops were engaged in the attack, of whom 150 were killed 
or wounded. Captain Gray, of the quartermaster general's department, 
Captain Blackmore, and Ensign Gregg, of the King's, were killed. 

Major Evans, Captain Tyeth, and Lieutenant Nutall, of the same re- 
giment, Majors Drummond and Moodie, and Captains Snore and Leonard, 
of the 104th regiment, and Captain McPherson, of the Glengary light 
infantry, are among the wounded." 

Two days before the battle of Sackets Harbor, occurred the 
capture of Fort George; and on the 1st of June, Commodore 
Chauncey returned to Sackets Harbor, where he remained two 
months, until the Pike was ready to sail, the enemy meanwhile 
lording it over the lake, with a much superior naval force. 
This consisted of the Wolfe, commanded by Commodore Yeo, 
having a crew of 300 picked men from the Kent 74, and an 
armament of 36, thirty-two pound carronades, ship Royal 
George, of 22, 32's, the Earl of Moira 12, and seven schooners. 
Several frames of vessels, and large quantities of naval stores 
were forwarded up the St. Lawrence to Kingston. The Pike 
was launched June 12, and at the middle of July was ready for 
sea. 

On the 14th of June, Lieutenant Wolcott Chauncey received 
orders from Commodore Chauncey to proceed on a cruise, and 
having reached the vicinity of Presque Isle, in the schooner 
Lady of the Lake, on the morning of the 16th fell in with and 
captured the English schooner Lady Murray, from Kingston 
bound for York, and laden with provisions, powder, shot and 
fixed ammunitions. One ensign, fifteen privates, belonging to 
the 41st and 104th regiments, were taken. The prize was taken 
into Sackets Harbor. 

On the 2d of July, a secret expedition was fitted out from 
Kingston, with the design of firing the Pike, and the naval 
stores at Sackets Harbor in the night. On arriving at the isth- 
mus of Point Peninsula they drew their boats out, and concealed 
them in the bushes till circumstances might favor them, but a 
deserter from their number having escaped to Sackets Harbor, 
they returned back. Upon receiving intelligence of this, a force 
was sent to intercept the detachment, but without success. 



494 The War of 1812-15. 

On the 2d of July, Major General Morgan Lewis arrived at 
Sackets Harbor, and took the command. On the 8th, General 
Dearborn, whose health had been impaired, was succeeded by 
Major General James Wilkinson, the present command remain- 
ing with Gen. Lewis. The 9th military district after this change 
embraced New York north of the Highlands, and Vermont. 

Wilkinson was assisted by Generals Morgan Lewis, John P. 
Boyd, Jacob Brown, and Leonard Covington.* 

On the 14th of July, 1813, the JVeptiaie and Fox, the former 
a private armed boat, under Captain Samuel Dixon, mounted 
with one six pounder, and one swivel, and manned by twenty-four 
volunteers; and the latter a public armed boat, under Captain 
Dimock, with a detachment of twenty- one men from the 21st 
regiment of infantry, under Lieutenants Burbank and Perry, 
sailed from Sackets Harbor with Letters of Marque from the de- 
puty collector of the district, for a cruise on the St. Lawrence. 
This privateering expedition was fitted out by M. W. Gilbert, 
and others, and had for its object the cutting off of a detachment 
of the enemy's boats, that were expected up the river laden with 
stores. After touching at Cape Vincent, and Ffench Creek, 
they selected, on the morning of the 17th, a quiet nook, in a 
creek, among the Thousand Islands, where they landed for muster 
and review; and the morning being delightfully pleasant, they 
employed themselves in drying, and putting in complete order 
their arms and ammunition, and cleaning out their boats, while 
a small boat of each, was sent out for intelligence, which returned 
without gaining any news. At 9 p. m. they hauled from the 
shore, manned a guard boat to prevent surprise, and sent Lieu- 
tenant Hawkins to Ogdensburgh for intelligence; and at 5 p. M., 
the next day, Messrs. Baldwin and Campbell arrived with news. 
At 9 they left Cranberry Creek, and at 4 a. m. of the 18th saw 
a brigade of British bateaux, convoyed by his majesty's gun 
boat, the Spitfire, lying at Simmond's Landing, preparing to 
sail for Kingston. Upon this, they pushed in for shore, and so 
completely surprised them, that very few of the enemy escaped. 
The fifteen bateaux and the gun boat were at once seized, with- 
out a shot being fired on either side. Previous to the attack, 
Lieutenant Perry, of the 9th, and Sergeant James, of Forsyth's 
company, with 27 volunteers, were landed to cut off retreat. 
At 9 a. m. the fleet landed in Cranbery Creek in Alexandria, 
and at 11, sixty-nine prisoners were sent off to the harbor, under 
guard of 15 men, of the 21st, in charge of Lieutenant Burbank. 
The Spitfire was armed with a 12 pound carronade and fourteen 
men, with a large quantity of military stores. The bateaux 
had 270 barrels of pork, and 270 bags of pilot bread, which 

* American State Papers, Military Affairs, vol. i, p. 3S4. 



The War of 1812-15. 495 

was landed on the 20! h to prevent spoiling, and a request to 
the neiffhborins; inhabitants for assistance was sent out, which 
brought in a few militia, who, however, mostly left the same 
night. At sun-rise on the 21st, the enemy, to the number of 
250, with four gun boats and one or two transports, were dis- 
covered in the creek; these were met by thirty men, and attacked 
while landing; twenty more being stationed in different places to 
prevent their approach. A cannonade commenced, and was kept 
up sometime; two of the enemy's boats were so injured from our 
fire, that most of their crews were compelled to leave them, and 
to cut flags from the shore to stop the shot holes. At 6 a. m. the 
enemy retired to their boats, and sent a flag with the demand of 
surrender to save the effusion of blood, which was instantly re- 
jected, and the firing recommenced. It appeared that this w r as 
but an expedient to gain time, as the enemy hastily retreated, 
carrying their dead and wounded. Their loss must have been 
considerable, from the quantity of blood seen where they em- 
barked. Our loss was three killed and wounded. After the 
action, trees were felled across the road and creek to prevent a 
new attack; and on the afternoon of the next day, reinforcements 
arrived, the boats which had been scuttled were repaired, and 
on the 23d they left for Sackets Harbor, where they arrived on 
the 27th. While passing Tibbet's Point they encountered the 
Earl of Moira, were pursued and hit several times by her shot, 
but not captured. The gun boat and several bateaux were sunk 
without consulting Captains Dimick or Dixon, and the owners 
ultimately lost most that w 7 as gained by the expedition. 

The foregoing is derived from the journal of the expedition, 
kept by one of the officers. The following account of the affair 
of Cranberry Creek (sometimes called Goose Bay), is from 
Christie's History of the War, a British work: 

" To intercept the convoy of bateaux with provisions from 
that port to Kingston, the Americans had sent several cruisers 
and privateers from Sackets Harbor to the vicinity of Prescott, 
and among the Thousand Islands. On the 20th of July the ene- 
my had succeeded in surpsising and capturing at daybreak, a 
brigade of bateaux loaded with provisions, under a convoy of a 
gun-boat, with which they retired several miles up Goose Creek 
on the south of the St. Lawrence below Gananoque. Three gun 
boats under the command of Lieutenant Scott of the royal navy, 
were dispatched from Kingston, with a detachment of the 100th 
regiment, under Captain Martin, with a view of intercepting 
them on their return to Sackets Harbor. They proceeded to the 
lower end of Long Island, where having ascertained the retreat 
of the enemy, they immediately pushed for that place, but before 
they came in sight of the American vessels, the evening was too 



496 The War of 1812-15. 

far advanced to make an attack with any prospect of success; it 
was therefore determined to defer the attack until the next 
morning. 

Another gun-boat arriving in the course of the evening with 
a detachment of the 41st regiment, under Major Frend, that offi- 
cer assumed the command, and at three o'clock the next morn- 
ing, proceeded up the creek, with the gun-boats, in hopes of 
gaining the enemy's position at the dawn of day. They pro- 
ceeded until the channel became so narrow that the gun-boats 
could neither use their oars or turn, so as to bring their guns to 
bear upon the banks, and it was discovered that the enemy had 
taken precautions to obstruct their further progress, by falling 
large trees across the creek. In endeavoring to remove these 
impediments, they were fired upon by the American vessels, and 
from the gun that they had landed upon the left bank, supported 
with musketry from the surrounding; woods. A few of the sol- 
diers who had landed on the right bank, having re-embarked in 
the sternmost boats, leaped into the stream and, carrying their 
muskets on their heads, succeeded, after wading through the wa- 
ter and swampy soil contiguous thereto, in effecting a landing 
on the left bank, and led on by Lieutenant Fawcet of the 100th 
regiment drove the enemy in gallant style, who retreated with 
precipitation to their log intrenchment. This spirited advance 
saved the gun-boats, the foremost of which (the only one which 
bore upon the enemy) exposed to a galling fire had been disa- 
bled. Major Frend finding the enemy strongly posted and from 
the impracticability of bringing the other gun-boats into action 
that a further perseverence must be attended with a greater sac- 
rifice of lives than the nature of the enterprise seemed to justify, 
re-embarked the troops, and retired from the unequal contest. 

In this affair, Captain Milnes, aid-de-camp to the commander 
of the forces, was mortally wounded. This gallant young officer 
had accidentally met Major Frend in pursuit of the enemy, and 
impelled by a thirst of honor, had volunteered his services to 
assist in accomplishing his purpose. 

The Pike having been equipped, thus giving our fleet an 
equal strength with the enemy, Chauncey sailed, and arrived at 
Niagara, July 27th. The British fleet was then in this quarter 
of the lake. On the 7th of August the fleet had attempted to 
come to action without success, and the next night was overtaken 
by a gale, in which the schooners Hamilton and Scourge were 
overturned and sunk, and every soul on board except sixteen 
perished. Lieutenant Winter and Sailing-Master Osgood were 
Jost, together with nineteen guns, by this disaster. 

On the following days a considerable maneuvering occurred, 
without coming to decisive action; and on the 9th the schooners 



The War of 1812-15. 497 

Julia and Growler were cut out of our fleet by the enemy. 
Chauncey returned to Sackets Harbor on the 13th, with the 
Madison, Oneida, Governor Tompkins, Conquest, Ontario, Pert, 
and Lady of the Lake, the Asp and Fair American being left 
at Niagara. 

The Sylph, pierced for 24 guns but carrying 20, and schooner- 
rigged, was built and ready for service in thirty-three days from 
the time her timber was growing. She accompanied the com- 
modore's fleet in a cruise, which commenced August 21. A 
fine brig was then nearly ready for the lake. The fleet near 
Niagara again encountered the enemy on the 7th of September, 
and on the 9th a running light ensued, which lasted several days, 
in which the British sustained some injury in men and vessels, 
but no American was hurt. 

A direct tax of $3,000,000 was laid by Congress, in August, 
1813, to sustain the war, of which Jefferson County paid $1,610; 
Lewis $'1,960, and St. Lawrence $3,000. General Wilkinson 
arrived August 20th at Sackets Harbor. 

During the summer, a plan of operations upon this lake was 
discussed in the cabinet, the details and correspondence upon 
which are too voluminous for insertion. It was decided that 
Major General Wade Hampton, who was assembling a force at 
Burlington, should hold himself in readiness to make a diversion 
in the direction of Montreal, or to hazard an attack, if circum- 
stances favored, while a powerful armament should be fitted out 
at Sackets Harbor; that after strengthening Fort George and 
reducing the military Indian establishments on the peninsula, 
should fall upon Kingston, and having reduced that place, de- 
scend the St. Lawrence, and in concert with Hampton, make a 
determined attack upon Montreal. Some difference of opinion 
was expressed upon the first point to be assailed; and General 
Armstrong, the Secretary at War, in his letter ol instructions dated 
August 3d, advised the first principal attack to be made upon Kings- 
ton, but lefttheplan and modeof attack, whetherdirector indirect, 
to be decided by Wilkinson, as he might deem proper. In a let- 
ter written on the day after his arrival at Sackets Harbor, the 
latter expressed his confidence in the abilities and resources of 
Chauncey, and announced his intention of repairing to Fort 
George, to make arrangements for assembling the forces on that 
frontier, preparatory to offensive operations. He advised that 
Hampton should not advance, or appear west of Lake^Champlain, 
as these movements might lead to movements on the part of the 
enemy, that might derange his plans. On the 26th of August, he 
indicated the necessity of first gaining the supremacy of the 
lake, and his apprehensions that the enemy would protract the 
campaign till a late period in the year. The garrison at Kings- 



498 The War of 1812-15. 

ton had been recently reinforced, and was reputed at near five 
thousand strong. Sir James Yeo had sailed to the head of the 
lake, and the American fleet was to sail as soon as it could be 
fitted out. 

A council of war was held at Sackets Harbor, August 26th, 
at which Major Generals Wilkinson and Lewis, Commodore 
Chauncey, and Brigadier Generals Brown and Swartwout, were 
present. The following is an account of their proceedings : 

" Major General Wilkinson states to the council the views of 
the government, and the relative situation of affairs. 

The conquest of the province of Upper Canada, comprise the 
instruction of the executive of the United States, for the service 
of this army, the impending campaign, and the reduction of 
Kingston by a direct attack, or indirect movement, embraces the 
primary object of these instructions. 

From the best information possessed, the main force of the 
enemy in Upper Canada, opposed to this command, is divided 
between the head of Lake Ontario, Kingston and Prescott : say 
at the first place, two thousand regular troops, besides militia 
and auxiliary savages ; at Kingston, three thousand six hundred 
and fifty regulars, and one thousand five hundred militia, together 
with the naval force when in port, estimated at a thousand or 
twelve hundred men ; and at Prescott, eight hundred and fifty 
men — making a total of at least nine thousand combatants* 
But this force is so far divided that not more than four thousand 
men can be brought to act seasonably, and with any effect, at any 
given point, unless we should attack Kingston, in which case, 
by the addition of seamen and marines, the number may be in- 
creased to six thousand, for the defence of the various, the exten- 
sive, and widely detached works of that depot. 

The whole present effective force of the army of this district, 
may be estimated at seven thousand four hundred combatants, 
exclusive of the naval department ; but this may, it is expected, 
by the recovery of the sick, and the junction of recruits, be aug- 
mented to nine thousand combatants, exclusive of militia, on 
whom no solid reliance can be placed, by the 20th of next 
month. Our army at present occupies the following places, viz : 
at forts George and Niagara, 3,500; at Oswego, 100; at this 
place, 2000; and at Burlington, on Lake Champlain, 4,000. This 
distraction of force weakens our hands, and puts it out of our 
power to make any decisive stroke to break the strength and im- 
pair the vigor of the enemy; indeed, the division on Lake 
Champlain is too remote to afford us prompt succor in this quar- 
ter, should it become necessary; but it may operate a powerful 

* This information of the force of the enemy was derived from Major Gen- 
eral Lewis, and other officers. 



The War of 1812-15. 499 

division on the side of Montreal, where it is believed the enemy 
rests his defence chiefly on his organized militia. The season is 
wasting rapidly, and the honor and interests of the nation impe- 
riously demand that a deadly blow should be struck somewhere. 

In the meantime, the enemy continues to reinforce his posts 
in this quarter, and to strengthen his position in the neighborhood 
of Fort George, where the commander-in-chief is now acting in 
person. As the success of every operation will depend on the 
conjunct exertions of the army and navy, it is enjoined by the 
executive, that a cordial co-operation and perfect understanding, 
should be maintained between the commanders of these depart- 
ments, respectively. 

Having submitted this statement of fads to the consideration 
of the council, Major General Wilkinson requests their sentiments 
on the following points, viz : 

1st. To wait, in our present position, a combat between the 
rival squadrons, for the supremacy of the lake. 

2d. To assemble a sufficient force at Fort George to cut up 
the enemy in that quarter, then to descend to this place, call the 
division from Champlain, incorporate the whole, and make a di- 
rect attack on Kingston. 

3d. To concentrate all the troops on the lake in this vicinity, 
order the division on Champlain to feint upon Montreal, or to carry 
a real attack against it, should circumstances warrant, and then 
with the troops assembled here, to reduce Kingston, and proceed 
against Montreal, should the season permit; or, 

4th. To rendezvous the whole of the troops on the lake in 
this vicinity, and in co-operation with our squadron, to make a 
bold feint on Kingston, slip down the St. Lawrence, lock up the 
enemy in our rear to starve and surrender, or oblige him to fol- 
low us without artillery, baggage, or provisions, — eventually to 
lay down his arms; to sweep the St. Lawrence of armed craft, 
and in concert with the division under Major General Hampton, 
to take possession of Montreal. 

Upon the various propositions submitted by the commander-in- 
chief to the council, consisting of the general officers of the divi- 
sion, and Commodore Chauncey, of the navy, they are of opinion 
that, 

1st. It is not necessary to await the result of a conflict between 
the hostile squadrons, as the operation of the army in the event 
of the adoption of either of these propositions, will not depend on 
a co-operation of the fleet, further than to secure the passage of 
the troops into the St. Lawrence. 

2d. The second proposition is rejected, because the object ap- 
pears to be a partial one, as far as relates to the proposed opera- 
tion against the division in the vicinity of Fort George. The 



500 The War of 1812-15. 

loss of time also would probably render it too late to carry an 
attack against Kingston this campaign. 

3d. This proposition is also considered a partial operation, and 
one for which the force on this lake might possibly prove inade- 
quate. 

4th. The fourth and last meets the approbation of the council. 
The object appears feasible, and, if accomplished, the upper 
country must fall of course; for it is incapable of subsisting the 
enemy's force for any length of time, and the possession of Mon- 
treal will certainly destroy the line of communication between 
the upper and lower provinces. The feint on Kingston is re- 
served for future consideration. 

Morgan Lewis, 
(Signed) Isaac Chauncey, 

Robert Swartwout, 
Jacob Brown. 
A true copy from the original. 

C. J. Nourse, Captain and A. D. C. 

The relative force of the two belligerants on the lake, on the 
1st of September, was as follows: 

American — General Pike, Captain Sinclair, 34; Madison, 
Captain Crane, 24; Sylph, Captain Woolsey, 20; Oneida, Lieut. 
Brown, 18; Duke of Gloucester, 10; Governor Tompkins, 6; 
Conquest, 3; Ontario, 2; Asp, 2; Fair American, 2; Pert, 2; 
Lady of the Lake, 2; Raven, 1. Total 126 guns. 

British— General Wolfe, 32; Royal George, 22; Earl of Mo- 
ira, 16; Prince Regent, 14; Simcoe, 12; Seneca, 4; Hamilton 
(late Growler), 5; Confiance (late Julia), 3; besides several 
gun-boats. They were then building a 40 gun frigate, and two 
sloops of w r ar at Kingston. 

The secretary of war arrived on the 5th of September, at 
Sackets Harbor, the same day that Wilkinson reached Fort 
George. He was induced to take this position in order to con- 
sult more readily with the officers of the army, and save the de- 
lay that would attend the receipt and transmission of intelligence 
at Washington. The army at Burlington under Hampton at 
this time numbered 4,500 regulars and 1,000 militia, who early 
in the month crossed to Pittsburgh, and after making a feigned 
movement upon Canada, advanced westward to Chateaugay. 
Large bodies of militia were assembled at Brownville, and other 
places, and the force at Sackets Harbor amounted to 2,000 men, 
under General Lewis. Re-enforcements of regulars and militia, 
were on their match towards various points of the frontier, and 
the country was alive with the bustle of preparation, and the 
collection of munitions and men, which would seem adequate for 
the accomplishment of great results, but which the chief mana 



The War of 1812-15. 501 

ger, and director, appears to have had either an incapacity, or a 
disinclination, to use to the greatest advantage. 

Sir James Yeo appeared off Niagara, early in September, and 
on the 17th, Chauncey, favored with a breeze, stood out into the 
lake, and not meeting the enemy, ran into Sackets Harbor, 
whence in a few hours he again sailed for Niagara. On the 27th, 
having learned that the fleet of the enemy was at York, he got 
out of the river, and on the 28th the Pike, Madison, and Sylph, 
taking each a schooner in tow, sailed for York, and as he ap- 
proached that place, he discovered the enemy's fleet under way. 
Here ensued an indecisive, maneuvering and running fight, in 
which the Pike sustained considerable injury, and lost twenty- 
two of her men by the bursting of a gun, which also greatly 
injured the vessel. The total loss in killed and wounded, on 
board this vessel, including the loss by this accident, was twenty- 
seven. The Madison received a few shot, but no person was 
hurt; the Governor Tompkins lost her foremast, and the Oneida 
had her main top mast badly injured. 

About the 20th of September a proposition was made by 
General Peter B. Porter, Cyrenus Chapin, and Joseph McClure, 
in case the troops were withdrawn from Fort George, to raise a 
volunteer force of 1,000 to 1,200 men, to be furnished with four 
field pieces, arms, provisions and pay, while in the service, which 
offer was accepted, and about 800 regulars were to be left to 
garrison forts George and Niagara, under Colonel Scott. Ar- 
rangements having been made for leaving, the embarkation of 
troops commenced on the 26th, and on the 30th the flotilla of 
bateaux with the central army, left Fort George for Sackets 
Harbor, where they arrived on the 4th of October. 

The troops left at Fort George, after occupying the place se- 
veral weeks, abandoned it, and, having burned the village of 
Newark, returned to the American side. This provoked the 
retaliation of the enemy, who surprised the garrison at Niagara, 
captured the fort without resistance, slaughtered a great number 
of its inmates, burned the villages of Black Rock and Buffalo, 
and laid waste the Niagara frontiers with fire and sword. This 
desolating invasion was without a parallel during the war, and 
occasioned a distress among the pioneer inhabitants, that required 
and received the aid of the legislature. General McClure, whose 
burning of Newark provoked this visit of the enemy, soon after 
published a vindication of his course, and stated that the act was 
done in pursuance of the orders of the secretary of war. 

As soon as the last of the flotilla had left the Niagara, Chaun- 
cey again sailed to divert or engage the enemy, and on the 5th, 
when near the False Ducks, on the north shore recaptured the 
Growler and the Julia (named Hamilton and Conjiance by the 
32 



502 The War of 1812-15. 

enemy), the Mary Ann, the Drummond and the Lady Gore, gun 
vessels, and caused the enemy to abandon and burn a sixth. The 
Enterprise, a small schooner, was the only one that escaped. 
The prizes, mounting one to three guns each, were taken to 
Sackets Harbor. They had 300 troops of De Waterville's Ger- 
man regiment on board, from the head of the lake, but last from 
York, bound for Kingston. 

Sackets Harbor had for several weeks been alive with the 
bustle of preparation for the approaching descent upon Canada. 
A great number of armed boats and transports were built, and 
large quantities of supplies were collected. Immediately after 
Wilkinson's arrival, he waited upon the secretary of war and 
remonstrated against making an attack upon Kingston. The 
secretary differed from this opinion, but appointed a meeting on 
the 5th to hear the opinions and arguments on this subject. The 
chief objection against this attack arose from the apprehension 
of delays, and the lateness of the season. Much correspondence 
ensued, in which various modes of operation were proposed, 
and several days in a season already too late for operations of 
this class and magnitude, were trifled away to no purpose. Gen- 
eral Wilkinson had been sick at fort George, and was still 
unwell. 

At this late season of the year, when, with no other enemy 
but the weather, it would seem the extremity of folly to attempt 
the navigation of the lake in open boats, from the peril arising 
from sudden tempests, it was decided to pass the enemy's fleet 
and army, and descend upon Montreal, allowing the enemy the 
privilege of attacking on his own territory in both front and 
rear, with an intimate knowledge of the country and its resour- 
ces, and every advantage that a skillful commander could have 
desired, had the selection of circumstances been left to him. 
Viewed in its proper light, the expedition may be justly con- 
sidered an outrage upon reason and common sense, and justly 
entitled to the odium which has been attached to it and its 
imbecile commander; and in its results it forms one of the dark- 
est pages of American history. 

Our forces were first to be assembled at Grenadier Island, and on 
the 16th of October Hampton was ordered by Wilkinson to ad- 
vance to the mouth of the Chateaugay, or any other point that 
might better favor the junction of the two armies, and hold the 
enemy in check. 

On the 12th, the plan of encampment and order of battle on the 
opposite page was issued, for which we are indebted to Dr. Amasa 
Trowbridge of Watertown, who attended the expedition as a 
surgeon, and was present at several of the engagements on the 
Niagara frontier in the ensuing campaign. 



The War of 1812-15. 



503 



1. Third Brigade. 2. First Brigade. 3. 

•;.::::::::] rr -^ r— - } i— \ mm r—:< i_ ;:j l~ss c::::zi 

J— 1 *] 4. 5. G. 7. 8. 9. ,'" | 

First Division. 
Major General Morgan Lewis. 



10. Fourth Brigade. 11. Second Brigade. 12. 

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 



Riflemen. 

Mtinnni 

LCLU 



Second Division. 



Reserve. 



Riflemen 

UOOGD 
LDDil 



Park. 

CZ-li|ii|i'|i}|'|"|"|'[ZI3 



1. Major Pitt's artillery, 

2. Capt. Leonard's " 

3. Lt. Col. Eustis' « 

4. Colonel Pearce, 16th,. . . . 377 

5. Lieut. Col. Cutting, 25th, 562 

6. Lieut. Col. Aspinwall, 9th, 468 

7. Colonel Preston, 12th,... 369 

8. Major Huyke, 13th, 391 

9. Colonel Bissel, 5th, 553 



10. Capt. Brook's artillery. 

11. Capt. " 

12. Capt. Archer's " 

13. Lieut. Colonel Dix, 14th, 267 

14. Colonel Ripley, 21st., ... 632 

15. Lieut. Col. Upham, 15th, 449 

16. Colonel , 459 

17. Colonel Brady, 462 

18. Brevet Colonel Miller,.. 368 



This order was to be the same, where the ground would per- 
mit, with the exception, that in battle, the rifle corps was to act 
on the flanks, or in advance of the first line, and the cavalry 
to take post on the flanks of the second line. Both of these 
corps were to encamp generally with the reserve. 

On the 26th October, at noon, orders were issued for the 
heavy, light, and flying artillery, commanded by Colonels Por- 
ter, Eustis and Macomb, and the fourth brigade, commanded by 
Brigadier General Swartwout, of the infantry, to embark, and 
proceed immediately to Basin Harbor, in Grenadier Island. At 
six p. m. the whole embarked, and put off with a favorable 
wind, the transports mostly consisting of scows, Durham boats, 
common lake sail boats, and bateaux; containing besides offi- 
cers and soldiers, ordnance, ammunition, hospital stores, baggage, 
and two months' provisions for the troops. An unpardonable 



504 The War of 1812-15. 

negligence was evinced during these, and the following move- 
ments, in the custody and safe keeping of the supplies, immense 
quantities of which were ultimately lost. There was a deficien- 
cy of experienced pilots, and the men in the boats were mostly 
unaccustomed to their management, either in good or bad 
weather, and particularly in a dark night, and, in passing points 
of land where they were unacquainted with the soundings 
and currents, and at a season when sudden and violent tem- 
pests are liable to arise without warning. 

The wind and weather favored until one o'clock a. m., when 
the boats appeared to be much scattered; some had landed on 
Pillar Point, and Point Peninsula; some had entered Chaumont 
Bay, and other inlets; others had landed on Cherry, Stony and 
Horse islands, and others stood off for Kingston, where one boat, 
with an officer and ten men, is said to have arrived in safety. 
Several boats landed on Long Island, in British territory, and 
some safely reached their destination at Basin Harbor. At half 
past two the wind shifted nearly ahead, and blew fresh from the 
lake, by which many boats got in the rear, and discovering 
lights on the shore, attempted to reach them, in which some suc- 
ceeded. It soon began to rain, and the wind increased to a gale, 
in which the boats and scows which had landed, were drifted and 
beaten on the shore, which in some places was rough and rocky, 
while others, still on the lake, made the first point of land they 
could discover, to save themselves. The morning disclosed a 
scene of desolation truly distressing. The shores of the islands 
and main land were strewn with broken and sunken boats, and 
the day was spent in unloading such as could be reached, and in 
endeavoring to save such perishable articles as could be found, 
the gale continuing through that day and the following night. 
On the 18th, the wind having abated, several boats were got off 
from the rocks, and arrived at Basin Harbor, but on the next 
day the storm increased, and several boats that had attempted to 
gain their rendezvous, were driven back upon the shores. On 
the 20th the day was favorable, and many of the sound boals 
reached Basin Harbor. 

The brigades of Generals Brown, Boyd, and Covington which 
had encamped at Henderson Harbor, arrived at Grenadier Island 
on the 201h. Of the flotilla that had left Sackets Harbor, fifteen 
large boats were entirely lost; many others, with several scows 
were much damaged, and a large quantity of bread was destroyed. 
The troops remained encamped on the island until the 1st of 
November, engaged in repairing the boats and making prepara- 
tions to descend the St. Lawrence. The weather meanwhile 
continued stormy, and snow fell to the depth of ten inches. 
Many of the regulars were from the southern states, and unac- 



The War of 1812-15. 505 

customed to the severity of a northern winter, and in this expe- 
dition, especially at a later period, suffered extremely from the 
rigor of the climate, which produced a frightful mortality among 
thern. 

On the 2Sth, 196 of the sick were put on board a schooner, 
and sent to Sackets Harbor. Wilkinson arrived on the 27th, 
and finding a large body still in the rear, wrecked or stranded, 
returned to Sackets Harbor to order a supply of winter cloth- 
ing and shoes, for the troops on the island, some of whom were 
nearly destitute. He observed many fires of troops along the 
shore, but the wind was so violent that he could not communicate 
with them. On the 23d, Colonel Cole arrived with 200 men, of 
the 12th regiment, and sailed for the rendezvous, and the Growler 
was sent to Oswego for Colonels Randolph and Scott, who were 
expected there, and as many men as the vessel could carry. The 
general returned the same day to Grenadier Island and arrived 
off the island at eight in the evening, the weather continuing 
boisterous during this night and the day following, with fre- 
quent rains and heavy gales, so that a landing could not be 
effected until the 25th. 

In the intervals of the gale, opportunities were watched to 
slip detachments of boats into the St. Lawrence, but so treach- 
erous were the lulls of the tempest, that great peril was encoun- 
tered in passing from Grenadier Island to Cape Vincent, a 
distance of nine miles. Many boats were driven ashore and 
much provisions and clothing w r ere lost. General Brown was 
ordered to take command of the advance and post himself at 
French Creek, where the detachments were ordered to rendez- 
vous. The Growler arrived at Grenadier Island on the 31st, 
with 230 men of the 20th regiment, and on the 2d of November, 
Chauncey took a position to protect the south channel, where 
it was apprehended the enemy would enter and occupy Fort 
Carlton, which, with some repairs, would have effectually com- 
manded that channel, and compelled the American army to 
winter on Lake Ontario, or run the gauntlet under the batteries 
of Kingston. Perhaps no point on the river is so admirably 
adapted for a strong military post, as the head of Carlton Is- 
land, and it has been justly called the Gibraltar of this pass- 
age. 

On the evening of the 1st of November, the enemy having 
observed the concentration of our forces at French Creek, attacked 
General Brown about sunset with two brigs, two schooners, and 
several boats laden with infantry. The encampment of Brown 
was a short distance up the creek, and he had caused a battery 
of three eighteen-pounders to be erected on Bartlet's Point, a 
short distance above, which, from its elevation, gave it a superi- 



506 The War of 1812-15. 

ority over that of the enemy. This battery was under the com- 
mand of Captain McPherson, of the light artillery, and was 
served with such effect that the assailants soon dropped down the 
current beyond its reach. The next morning the attack was re- 
newed without success, and one of the brigs was with difficulty 
towed off by the squadron. Our loss was two killed and four 
wounded; that of the enemy, much more. On the the 5th, Gen- 
eral Wilkinson, having collected his tempest-tossed flotilla, 
passed down the river to below Morristown and encamped. It 
is not in our province to follow the details of this disastrous ex- 
pedition. The secretary of war proceeded by land as far as 
Antwerp, from whence, on the 27th of October, he returned. 
The batteries at Prescott were passed in the night, and on the 
11th of November was fought the battle of Chrysler's Field; 
soon after which, the American flotilla entered Salmon River, 
and took up winter quarters at French Mills, now Fort Coving- 
ton.* During much of this time, General Wilkinson was con- 
fined to his cabin, and, it has been said by some, was intoxicated. 
On the 11th, General Hampton informed Wilkinson of his ina- 
bility to meet him at St. Regis, and announced his intention 
to return to Lake Champlain, which was done. In February, 
the camp at French Mills was broken up, Brown (who, on the 
24th of January, 1814, had been promoted to the rank of major 
general), conducting a part of the army to Sackets Harbor, and 
the commander-in-chief the remainder to Plattsburgh. 

This inglorious issue of events on the northern frontier excited 
the murmurs of the nation, and Generals Hampton and Wilkin- 
son were arraigned before courts martial, the latter being re- 
moved from command, and succeeded by General Izard. 

To return to the operations of the American fleet on Lake On- 
tario, in the fall of 1813: On the 2d of November, the Pike and 
other armed vessels passed down the St. Lawrence to the foot of 
Long Island, where they remained several days, when they re- 
rurned on the 12th, with the view of laying up at Sackets Har- 
bor; but a letter from the secretary of war was received, direct- 
ing Chauncey to sail to the head of the lake, and transport the 
army of General Harrison to the harbor, for its defence against 
any attempt that might be made from Kingston. The wind be- 
ing fair, he sailed immediately, and the third day after embarked 
the troops. A violent snow storm and east wind ensued, which 
lasted three days, scattered the fleet, and, had it continued a day 
longer, most of our vessels must have perished with their crews. 
Some of them lost their masts, some sails, one her rudder, and 
many men were washed overboard; others rode out the gale and 
landed on the enemy's lee shore. At length, after great peril, 

*See History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, pages 637, 655. 



The War of 1812-15. 507 

the fleet all arrived at Sackets Harbor, excepting one vessel that 
was driven on shore in the Niagara River. General Harrison, 
soon after his arrival at the harbor, resigned his command. 

The winter was devoted to the prosecution of ship building, 
which the large addition made to the British fleet at Kingston, 
was thought to render necessary. The crews of the vessels era- 
ployed themselves in erecting fortifications, under the direction of 
Captain Crane, who was left in command in the absence of 
Chauncey. Circumstances render it probable that the enemy 
were kept informed of our movements by spies, which led to an 
advertisement in April, by Chauncey, offering $500 reward for 
the apprehension of each. The ingenuity and boldness of some 
of these informers was remarkable. 

The official returns of the department, on the 4th of March, 
1814, gave the following as the list of vessels then on this sta- 
tion, with the denomination and number of guns of each, and 
names of commanders: 

Ship General Pike, Isaac Chauncey, Commodore,. . . . - [24 guns 

" Madison, William M. Crane, Master, Commandant,. ... 20 " 

Brig Oneida, Thomas Brown, Lieutenant, Commandant, 16 " 

Schooner Sylph, Melancthon T. Woolsey, Master, Commandant, 14 " 
" Governor Tompkins, St. Clair Elliott, Midshipman, 

Commandant, 6 " 

«• Hamilton, 8 " 

" Growler, 5 « 

** Pert, Samuel W. Adams, Lieutenant, Commandant,. 3 " 
" Conquest, Henry Wells, Lieutenant, Commandant,. . . 2 " 
" Fair American, Wolcott Chauncey, Lieutenant, Com- 
mandant, 2 " 

" Ontario, John Stevens, Sailing Master, 2 " 

" Asp, Philander A. Jones, Lieutenant, Commandant,. 2 " 

" Julia, 2 " 

" Elizabeth. 1 " 

" Lady of the Lake, Mervin P. Mix, 1 " 

Bomb vessel, Mary. 

As soon as the ice broke up, the Lady of the Lake was sent 
out to cruise, and on the 24th of April run close into Kingston 
harbor and showed her colors which were answered by the ene- 
my's fleet and batteries. Their fleet appeared to be nearly ready 
for a cruise. 

On the night of the 25th, Lieutenant Dudley with two guard 
boats fell in with three of the enemy's in the bay, who were 
hailed, but not being properly answered, were fired upon when 
the latter fled. A reinforcement was hastily obtained but noth- 
ing was seen or found of the enemy except six barrels of pow- 
der, slung in pairs to be carried on the shoulders of men, and 
doubtless intended to fire our vessels stealthily. This accounted 
for their hasty retreat when fired upon, for fear of accidental 
explosion. This insidious plan of the enemy could scarcely 



508 The War of 1812-15. 

have succeeded, as, besides two lines of guard boats, all the ap- 
proaches were secured by booms, and a marine guard boat, and 
numerous sentinels were posted near. The guns of the Madison 
that was close to the stern of the Superior, were kept loaded 
with canister and bags of musket balls, to rake under if neces- 
sary. 

The armaments of the small vessels were abandoned early in 
the season, and they were used mostly as transports. On the 1st 
of May, the frigate Superior (66 guns), built in eight}' days, was 
launched, and the day after there occurred an incident which 
well-nigh led to serious consequences. The ship carpenters and 
sailors, having no interests in common with the soldiers, had 
acquired a feeling of mutual hostility, and on this occasion, there 
had been an unusual degree of convivial excess in celebrat- 
ing the launch. A dragoon, being assaulted by two or three 
carpenters, fled for protection to a sentinel placed over a store 
house, and with the obstinacy and insolence of half drunken 
men, they were persisting in the pursuit, in which one of their 
number was shot, and the remainder fled. This at once led to 
the most intense excitement. The ship carpenters, with axes, 
and adzes, hastily rallied, with the sailors, armed with boarding 
pikes and cutlasses, who, forming in a solid body, marched in 
pursuit of the sentinel. The troops were hastily formed in a 
hollow square around him and drawn up in the street, where they 
stood prepared to meet and repel any attack, and the former 
had advanced to within a few yards, and were yelling and bran- 
dishing their weapons in the wildest phrensy of rage, when 
Eckford, Chauncey and Brown, hastened to the spot, threw 
themselves between the parties, and by a well-timed and judi- 
cious appeal, checked the advance, and soon persuaded the car- 
penters to desist, on the assurance that the sentinel should be 
impartially tried, and suitably punished, if convicted. He was 
taken to Watertown, an examination held, and he was sent to a 
distant station to be out of their reach. 

The Mohawk and Jones were still on the stocks, the 
armament of which, as well as that of the Superior, must be 
transported through Wood Creek and Oswego rivers, as the 
roads through the Black River valley were nearly impassable 
from mud. This the enemy well knew, and were also informed 
that the rigging and armament of these vessels was on its 
way to Oswego. To possess these supplies<jwould be equivalent 
to the destruction of our squadron, as without them the new 
ships could not appear on the lake, nor could the fleet of the pre- 
vious year venture out in the presence of the greatly increased 
naval armament of the enemy, with the slightest hopes of suc- 
cess. This descent upon Oswego was therefore planned with 



The War of 1812-15. 509 

great foresight, and had its execution been as successful as its 
conception was bold and masterly, the beam of fortune must 
have preponderated with the British, and the results of this cam- 
paign might have been as disastrous, as those of the previous 
year had been disgraceful, to the American arms. This fact be- 
ing remembered, will enable us to duly estimate the value of the 
services which rescued this property from the grasp of the ene- 
my, and secured the defeat of the detachment that was sent in 
quest of it, as completely as could have been possible. 

Oswego had not been occupied by regular troops since the 
Revolution, and Colonel Mitchel had arrived at Sackets Harbor 
April 30th, with four companies of heavy, and one of light ar- 
tillery, serving as infantry. Of cannon, the fort had but five old 
guns, three of which had lost their trunions. Platforms and 
pickets were repaired, and the place was hastily put in as good a 
state of defence as possible; when the enemy appeared, on the 
5th of May, with a force of four ships, three brigs, and a num- 
ber of gun-boats. A cannonade was begun and returned with 
much spirit, and a landing attempted, but not accomplished, 
when the enemy stood off from the shore for better anchorage. 
One or two of the enemy's boats were picked up, and guards were 
stationed at various points along the shore. At day break on 
the 6th, the fleet again approached the village, and after a fire 
of three hours, landed six hundred of DeWaterville's regiment, 
six hundred marines, two companies of the Glengary corps, and 
three hundred and fifty seamen, who took possession of the public 
stores, burned the old barracks, and returned on board their fleet 
on the morning of the seventh. The land forces were under Gen- 
eral Drummond, and the fleet under Commodore Yeo. The naval 
stores were then at Oswego Falls (now Fulton), but Colonel 
Mitchel having retired in that direction, destroying the bridges, 
and filling the roads with timber after him, the enemy thought it 
inexpedient to follow, and soon after the fleet returned to its sta- 
tion near the Galloo Islands, to blockade the passage of the 
stores, which it was known must pass in that vicinity. These 
stores, under the charge of Lieutenant Woolsey, and escorted by 
Major D. Appling,* of 1st rifle regiment, with a company of one 
hundred and fifty men, left Oswego on the evening of the 2Sth 
of May, in nineteen boats, in the hope of gaining Stony Creek 
unmolested, from whence there would be but three miles of land 
carriage for the heavy ordnance and stores, to Henderson Har- 
bor, twelve miles from Sackets Harbor. The evening being dark 

* Appling was a your.? officer from Georgia, who, on the occasion above re- 
lated, first rendered himself conspicuous for his personal valor. For this, on 
the same day, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He subse- 
quently acted a conspicuous part in the battle of Plattsburgh. A post office in 
the town of Adams bears his name. 



510 The War of 1812-15. 

and rainy, the brigade of boats rowed all night, and at dawn 
on Sunday morning met a party of Oneida Indians, under com- 
mand of Lietunant Hill, of the rifle regiment at Salmon river, 
and at noon, May 29th, entered Sandy Creek, except one boat, 
which from the misfortune or treachery of its pilot, fell into the 
hands of the enemy. This boat contained one cable, and two 
twenty-four pounders; and from those on board the enemy 
learned the particulars of the expedition, and of the force by 
which it was escorted. Upon entering Sandy Creek, Lieuten- 
ant Woolsey sent an express to notify Commodore Chauncey of 
his arrival, and couriers were despatched in various directions 
to rally teams to get the stores removed by land to their destination. 
The boats were run up the south branch of the creek, till they 
grounded, a distance of two miles from its mouth. The lake is 
here, for a great distance, bordered by a low ridge of sand hills, 
slightly wooded, behind which is a marsh with open ponds. 
Through this marsh, which is destitute of trees or bushes, and at 
that time was partly flowed from high water, the two branches 
of Sandy Creek meander, and unite but a few yards from their 
mouth, where then, as now, a solitary family dwelt. 

On Monday morning, a lookout boat in charge of Lieutenant 
Pierce, discovered the enemy making for the creek, and commu- 
nicated the news to Lieutenant Woolsey who, at dawn, dispatched 
messengers to call in the neighboring militia, and made 
hasty arrangements to meet the enemy, who were seen soon af- 
ter sunrise to enter the creek with three gun-boats, three cutters 
and one gig, and commenced a cannonade with a sixty-eight 
pounder in the direction of the flotilla of Lieutenant Woolsey, 
the masts of which were visible in the distance across a bend in 
the creek. These shots were directed in part against a thick 
wood, that extended on the north side of the south branch to 
nearly half a mile below the boats., in the edge of which, front- 
ing the open marsh, the rifle company of Major Appling was 
concealed behind a brush and log fence, entirely unobserved by 
the enemy. At nine o'clock, Captain Harris, with a squadron 
of dragoons, and Captain Melvin, with a company of light ar- 
tillery, and two six-pounders, arrived. This reinforcement was 
directed to halt a short distance in rear of the boats, as the force 
best calculated for a bush fight was already on the ground they 
could occupy with the best advantage. Meanwhile, the cannon 
were posted in a position where they could be used with effect 
if necessary, and the fences thrown down, that the dragoons 
might maneuvre without obstruction. The enemy slowly ad- 
vanced up the creek and landed on the south side, but finding it 
impossible to proceed, on account of the slimy condition ot the 
marsh, they re-embarked and proceeded on to within about 



The War of 1812-15. 611 

twenty rods of the woods, where they landed, and formed on the 
north bank, at a place now occupied by a store house, and 
which afforded the first solid ground for marching. The advanc- 
ing column, headed by Mr. Hoare, a midshipman of the British 
navy, had approached to within ten rods of the ambush, when, 
on a signal, the riflemen of Major Appling arose from their con- 
cealment and fired. Several fell dead, and their leader fell 
pierced with eleven balls. So sudden and effectual was this 
movement, that it threw the enemy into confusion, and, after a 
fire of a few minutes, the order was given to charge, upon 
which the rifle men rushed forward with loud cheers, holding 
their rifles in the position of charged bayonets. The result was 
the surrender of the enemy at discretion. This was scarcely 
done, when the Indians, true to their character as savages, came 
furiously on, yelling and brandishing their weapons, and were 
with the greatest difficulty prevented from murdering the dis- 
armed prisoners; and, indeed, it has been generally believed that 
one or two British officers were mortally wounded after they had 
yielded. The enemy were commanded by Captains Popham 
and Spilsbury, and their loss was nineteen killed, fifty wounded, 
and 133 taken prisoners. A few landed on the south bank and 
fled, but were pursued, and not one escaped to report their de- 
feat. Among the prisoners were twenty-seven marines, 106 
sailors, with two post captains, four lieutenants of the navy, one 
captain of marines, two lieutenants and two midshipmen. The 
captain of marines and one midshipman died of their wounds. 
Popham is said to have been an old acquaintance of Woolsey's, 
and as he came forward to surrender his sword, the latter ex- 
claimed, " Why, Popham ! what on earth are you doing in this 
creek?" After some indifferent reply, and a survey of our force, 
he replied, " Well, Woolsey, this is the first time I ever heard of 
riflemen charging bayonets!" At the moment after the first fire, 
the enemy had attempted to retreat, but the recoil of their heavy 
ordnance had forced the stern of their larger boats into the mud, 
and they found it impossible. Upon this they attempted to throw 
overboard their armament, and succeeded in getting out one 
brass piece, but were prevented from further mischief by our men. 
Our loss was one Indian killed and one rifleman wounded. On the 
morning of the battle, Captain Smith was ordered on, with 120 
marines, and Colonel Mitchell, with 300 artillery and infantry, 
who did not arrive in time to participate in the engagement. 
The same was the case of the neighboring militia, who soon 
after arrived in great numbers. 

The conduct of Lieutenants Mcintosh, Calhoun, McFarland, 
Armstrong, and Smith, and of Ensign Austin, who were under 
Major x\ppling, was especially commended in his official reports 



512 The War of 1812-15. 

of the engagement. The dead were buried, the prisoners marched 
to c Sackets Harbor; measures were taken to erect sheers for 
unloading the heavy freight, and, at 5 p. m., Woolsey was relieved 
by Captain Ridgeley, whom Chauncey had sent for the purpose. 
The official report of Lieutenant Woolsey, acknowledges the un- 
remitted exertions of Lieutenant Pierce, Sailmaster Vaughan, 
and Midshipmen Hart, Mackey, and Canton, in the affair. The 
roads were then new, and almost impassable, and the labor of 
removing the guns, cables, and rigging, was one of no ordinary 
magnitude. There were, when the flotilla left Oswego, twenty-one 
long 32 pounders, ten 24 pounders, three 42 pounder carronades, 
ten cables, and a quantity of shot, and other articles. A cable and 
two guns had been lost in the boat that fell in with the enemy, and 
the prizes taken in the creek were one 24 pounder, a 68 pound car- 
ronade, with several smaller cannon, and a considerable amount of 
small arms, and ammunition. Such was the industry displayed in 
this labor, that on Thursday there remained nothing but one large 
cable, which it was found extremely difficult to load on any 
vehicle, as it could not be divided, and a sufficient number of 
teams could not be advantageously attached to it. In this dilemma, 
the idea was suggested of bearing it upon the shoulders of men, 
and the proposal was cheerfully adopted by the citizens, who had 
assembled to assist in these operations. They were accordingly 
arranged in the order of their stature, and at the word of com- 
mand shouldered the ponderous cable, and took up their line of 
march for Sackets Harbor, about 20 miles distant, being as near 
together as they could conveniently walk. This novel procession 
passed by way of Ellis Village and Smithville, and on the second 
day reached the Harbor. As they approached the town, the 
sailors came out to meet them, and with loud cheers relieved them 
of their burden, and marched triumphantly into the village. 

On the day after the action, Sir James L. Yeo was informed 
by a flag that his expedition had been cut off, but he continued 
to blockade the passage for some time. In about ten days, the 
coast being clear, the boats and prizes were taken around by 
water to Sackets Harbor. During no time in the war was a more 
complete victory gained at less expense of blood than this. The 
enemy acknowledged their defeat in the following official order. 

Montreal, June 7, IS 14. 

" It is with extreme regret, we have to acquaint the public 
with the unfortunate result of a gallant enterprise by the boats 
of our squadron on Lake Ontario, under the command of Captains 
Popham and Spilsbury, of the royal navy, against a flotilla of 
the enemy's craft, laden with naval stores, which had got into 
Sandy Creek, on its way from Oswego to Sackets Harbor. On 
the morning of the 20th ultimo, a large boat, with two 24 pound- 



The War of 1812-15. 513 

ers and a 19| inch cable for the enemy's new ship, was captured 
by our squadron, having sailed from Oswego the evening before 
with 15 [18] others. Captains Popham and Spilsbury, with two 
gun boats, and some smaller craft, having on board about two- 
hundred seamen and marines, entered the creek on the morning 
of the 30th, where the enemy's flotilla were afterwards disco- 
vered. Parties were landed on each side of the creek and pro- 
ceeded, together with the boats, without opposition, to within a 
quarter of a mile of the enemy, when suddenly a considerable 
lorce, consisting of 150 riflemen, nearly 200 Indians, and a 
numerous body of militia and cavalry, attacked and soon over- 
powered our small party, whose gallant resistance to such num- 
bers proving unavailing, a surrender became indispensable to 
save our brave men from certain death. Our loss on the occa- 
sion was 19 killed and 50 wounded. Mr. Boan, master's mate of 
the Montreal, and Lieutenants Cox and Knight of the marines, are 
severely wounded. The boats also fell into the hands of the enemy." 
Just previous to this event, the enemy's fleet was as follows: 
Ship Prince Regent, 58 long sixty-eight and thirty-two pound- 
ers, Captain O'Connor, 500 men. 

Ship Princess Charlotte, 42 guns, Captain Mulcaster, from 
300 to 400 men. 

Ship Montreal (late Wolfe), 24 guns, Captain Downie. 

" Niagara (late Royal George), 21 guns, Captain Popham. 
Brig Star (late Melville), 16 guns, Captain Cover. 

" Charwell (late Earl of Moira), 15 guns, Captain Dobbs. 
Schooner Magnet (late Sidney Smith), 12 guns. 

"JYetty (Beresford), 10 guns, Lieutenant Owens. 
Gunboats, Lais, Cleopatra, Ninon, Nelly, Regent, Thunderer, 
Wellington, Retaliation, Black Snake, and Dreadnought, each 
with one gun. 

During the season, the Saint Lawrence, a frigate of 102 guns, 
made her appearance on the lake. 

About the middle of May, reinforcements began to arrive at 
Sackets Harbor from the sea board. The Macedonian was laid 
up in the Thames, and Mr. Rodgers, her first lieutenant, with 
the crew, arrived from the 11th to the 21st, and Captain Elliot, 
on the 12th of May. Captain Trenchard reached the station on 
the 15th. The enemy raised the blockade June 5, and on the 
11th, the Mohawk, a frigate of 44 guns, was launched at Sack- 
ets Harbor, having been but 34 days in building.* 

* Henry Eckford, the energetic ship huilder, who directed this department, 
acquired a large fortune in the war, but was subsequently reduced by some 
unfortunate stock operations. He died at Constantinople, November 12, 18^12, 
where, for several years, he had been chief director of the dock yards in the 
Turkish Empire. No higher compliment to his talents could be paid, than 
that of the sultan, who in speaking of him said, that, America must be 
Great, if it could spare such men as Eckford. 



514 The War of 1812-15. 

The crew of the Congress, 38, repairing at Portsmouth, began 
to arrive in the middle of June, and the British fleet received 
large accessions to its naval force. The care that they evinced 
in the selection of officers for this lake, indicates the importance 
they attached to its control, and the industry that both nations 
displayed in the fitting out of large vessels, seemed to portend a 
mighty struggle for its supremacy. There occurred, meanwhile, 
some operations on a minor scale that demand our notice. 
With the view of cutting off some of the detachments of boats, 
that were ascending the St. Lawrence with supplies, Chauncey 
about the middle of June, directed Lieutenant Francis H. Grego- 
ry to take three gigs, with their crews, and secrete himself 
among the Thousand Islands, to watch for some opportunity to 
surprise and bring off, or destroy some of these brigades of loaded 
boats. 

This expedition consisted of Lieutenant Gregory, William 
Vaughan,* and Samuel Dixon, sailing masters, and eighteen men, 
armed with rifles, pistols and cutlasses. They saw two brigades of 
boats passing up but full of troops and too strong to attack, and 
another passing down and not worth taking. Gun-boats were 
found stationed about once in six miles and a system of tele- 
graphs erected on the heights, so that intelligence could be con- 
veyed with great dispatch. On the 19th, the party were laying 
close under the Canada shore, four miles below Alexandria Bay, 
and near Bald Island, when a gun-boat was coming down under 
easy sail, but nearer the middle of the channel. Upon seeing 
the boats, an officer with one or two men, was sent in a skiff 
that was in tow, to make inquiries of them, supposing them to 
be Canadians. Upon approaching, Gregory hailed the strangers, 
demanding their surrender, which from necessity was obeyed; 
but those on board seeing the movement opened a fire, which 
was returned. The vessel was soon taken and found to be the 
Black Snake, or No. 9, Captain Landon, with one eighteen 
pounder, . and 18 men, chiefly royal marines. The prize was 
taken in tow and when a mile and a half below French Creek 
was met by a British gun-boat. Finding escape impossible, the 
prisoners and small arms were taken out and their prize scuttled. 
The enemy arrived soon after, but not being able to save it from 

* "William Vaughan, was born August 15, 1776, at Wilkesbarrie, Pa., and 
in 1794 first visited Canada, while Oswego, Fort Carlton, and Oswegatchie, 
were held by the British, and in crossing the lake was required to take out a 
British passport between American ports. In 1797, he again returned, and 
soon after engaged in lake navigation. In 1812, he was employed as sailing 
master, and was prominent and active in that capacity through the war. He 
subsequently resumed the mariner's life, and was successively master of the 
steamers Sophia, Ontario, Brownville, William Avery, Telegraph, and Martha 
Ogden on Lake Ontario. He has for many years resided at Sackets Harbor, 
as sailing master, under pay of government. 



The War of 1812-15. 515 

sinking pursued Gregory's party several miles. Night coming 
on, he escaped, reached Grenadier Island late in the evening, and 
the next day arrived safe at Sackets Harbor with his prisoners. 
The commodore, in his official report, warmly recommended 
Gregory, Vaughan and Dixon, to the notice of the department, 
for their activity zeal and success in the cruise. Congress, by 
an act passed May 4, 1834, awarded Gregory and his men 
$3,000 for this service. 

On the 26th of June, Chauncey, finding that the capture of the 
Black Snake had. created a considerable uneasiness with the 
enemy, resolved upon disturbing them in another quarter, and 
sent Lieutenant Gregory, with Vaughan and Dixon, in the two 
largest gigs, to Nicholas Island (about seven miles from Presque 
Isle Harbor), to lie in wait for some transports, expected to be 
sent past that place, for York and Fort George. If they did not 
pass within three or four days, they were ordered to land at Pres- 
que Isle, and burn a large schooner, then on the stocks. The day 
after they arrived on the coast, Gregory discovered a vessel which 
he was about to attack, but was hindered by the appearance of a 
gun boat, both of which stood in for Presque Isle Harbor. He 
immediately secreted himself, and at night sent a boat to take off 
one of the inhabitants, from whom he learned that his presence 
upon the coast was known, and had occasioned the sending of 
two expresses to Kingston. To anticipate any preparations for 
resistance, he at once landed, placed guards at the houses to pre- 
vent alarm, and set fire to the vessel, which was stout, well built, 
fitted for fourteen guns, and nearly ready to launch. When the 
vessel and a small building that contained the stores intended for 
the vessel, were consumed, Gregory ree'mbarked, without having 
allowed his men to enter a house, crossed to Oswego, and arrived 
at Sackets Harbor on the 6th of July. 

On the 9th of August, Abram Shoemaker, with his brother 
and a Mr. Sergeant, in a boat, bound from Oswego to Sackets 
Harbor, was attacked off Stony Point by a British barge, under 
a lieutenant of marines, and after a valiant resistance was cap- 
tured. After securing the prize, the lieutenant sent all his men 
to join another boat's crew, except four, which number he deemed 
sufficient to secure her. Seizing a proper moment, and without 
waiting for a concerted signal, Shoemaker pushed the lieutenant 
overboard ,jknocked down a sailor, and, calling upon his comrades 
to help, soon found himself the master of the boat, but severely 
wounded by a cutlass. The movement being seen by the other 
boat, they were obliged to abandon their prize, and succeeded in 
reaching Sackets Harbor, in a small boat. 

While these minor operations were occurring at this end of 
the lake, the American army, on the Niagara frontier, was act- 



516 The PVar of 1812-15. 

ively engaged in those aggressive movements which gave cele- 
brity to the names of Brown, Porter, Scott, Miller, Ripley, and 
others, and conferred honor upon our national character for valor. 

General Gaines remained at Sackels Harbor, from whom Major 
General Brown received word, on the 23d of July, that the fleet 
was in that port, and that the commodore was sick. The riflemen 
and a battering train of artillery were much needed on the Nia- 
gara frontier, but the American squadron did not get under way 
before the close of the month. On the 3 1st of July, the Superior, 
62 (Commodore Chauncey), Lieutenant Elton; Mohawk, 42, 
Captain Jones; Pike, 28, Captain Crane; Madison, 24, Captain 
Trenchard; Jefferson, 22, Captain Ridgely; Jones, 22, Lieutenant 
Woolsey; Sylph, 14, Captain Elliot; Oneida, 16, Lieutenant 
Commodore Brown; and Lady of the Lake, a cruiser, sailed, and 
arrived off Niagara, August 5th. On the 7th, his majesty's brig 
Melville, 14 guns, was chased ashore about four miles from Nia- 
gara, when she was fired by the enemy, and in a little time 
blew up. 

General Izard arrived September 16th, with 4,000 men, at 
Sackets Harbor from Lake Champlain, by the circuitous route of 
the Mohawk and Black River valleys, and on the 19th, 3,000 
men embarked, but a gale prevented their sailing until the 21st. 
On the next day they landed at the Genesee River, and reached 
Batavia on the 26th. By an order of September 27th, from the 
secretary of war, he was directed to take the command of the 
Niagara frontier. A body of artillery, under LieutenantColonel 
Mitchell, and two battalions of infantry (the 13th, under Major 
Malcolm, and the 45th, under Major Brevoot) were left to defend 
the harbor. The command was soon after assumed by General 
Brown. On the 30th of September, a gig belonging to the Su- 
perior, with an officer and four men, captured several boats at 
the head of the St. Lawrence, laden with a valuable cargo of 
goods bound for Kingston, and brought it into Sackets Harbor. 

Great apprehensions were felt in the fall of this year for the 
safety of the harbor, which led to an application to the execu- 
tive for aid. Colonel Washington Irving, aid-de-camp to the 
Governor, arrived at this station October 5, 1814, with orders to 
the commanding officer to make such requisitions on the militia 
as he might deem necessary. After consultation with Colonel 
Mitchell, General Collins called the militia, en masse, from the 
counties of Herkimer, Oneida, Lewis, and Jefferson. The two 
former produced about 2,500 men, the latter not more than 400, 
which made the force at the harbor between five and six thou- 
sand men. Great difficulty was experienced from the want of 
suitable quarters for so great a body. Many were quartered in 
dwellings and barns, and from twenty to thirty were often as- 
signed to a single room. The discomforts attending these accom- 



The War of 1812-15. 517 

modatiors very naturally excited uneasiness, and at the expira- 
tion of the draft, it was apprehended that the militia would be 
with difficulty prevented from going home, and that it would 
become necessary to supply their places by regulars. The ap- 
prehensions were not justified by the events that followed, and 
the milita were allowed to return home. Two frigates of the 
largest class were begun, one on Navy Point, in Sackets Har- 
bor, to be called the New Orleans, and another of the same 
class at Storr's Harbor, farther up the bay, to be called the 
Chippewa, were begun and their hulls partly completed, when 
the news of peace put a stop to the work. 

An agreement was entered into at Washington, in April, 
1817, between Richard Rush, at that time secretary of state, and 
Charles Bagot, his Britannic majesty's envoy, to the effect that 
but one vessel of not more than one hundred tons burden, and 
armed with one eighteen pound cannon, should bemaintaind on 
lakes Ontario and Champlain, and this having been approved 
between the two governments, was notified by a proclarnaiion by 
James Monroe, president, date! April 28, IS IS. The Lady of 
the Lake, with three pivot guns on deck, and the brig Jones, 
with eighteen guns on deck, were kept up till this treaty, the 
Pike, Jefferson, Mohawk, Madison, Superior, and Sylph, having 
been dismantled soon after the peace. The Jones, and fifteen 
barges, were in IS 16 reported in good order. Most of these 
vessels were covered with a roof, but in the annual returns of the 
department, were successively marked " much decayed," " sunk," 
" useless," &c, until March 3, 1824, when an act was passed 
directing all the public vessels on lakes Erie and Ontario, ex- 
cept theships-of-the-lineNew Orleans anil Chippewa, then on the 
stocks under cover, to be sold, and the avails to be applied to the 
repair and building of sloops of war. Until this act, the Lady of 
the Lake, with one pivot gun, had been kept up. Of all this 
formidable fleet, the unfinished hull of the New Orleans now 
alone remains, having been preserved in the same condition as in 
IS 15, by a house built over it. 

Of Madison Barracks we have given an account on page 181 
of this work. The condition of the fortifications at this place at 
the close of the war is thus described by an English writer:* 

" A low point of land runs out from the north w : est, upon 
which is the dock yard, with large store houses, and all the re- 
quisite buildings belonging to such an establishment. Upon this 
point is a very powerful work, called Fort Tompkins, having 
within it a strong block house, two stories high; on the land 
side it is covered by a strong picketing, in which there are 
embrasures; twenty guns are mounted, besides two or three mor- 

* Bouchette's Canada; p. 620. 1815. 

33 



518 The War of 1812-15. 

tars, "with a furnace for heating shot. At the bottom of the har- 
bor is the village, that contains from sixty to seventy houses, 
and, to the southward of it, a barrack capable of accommodating 
two thousand men, and generally used for the marines belonging 
to the fleet. On a point eastward of the harbor, stands Fort Pike, 
a regular work, surrounded by a ditch, in advance of which there 
is a strong line of picketing; in the centre of the principal 
work, there is a block house, two stories high; this fort is armed 
with twenty guns. About one hundred yards from the village, 
and a little to the westward of Fort Tompkins, is Smith's can- 
tonment, or barrack, strongly built of logs, forming a square, 
with a block house at each corner; it is loopholed on every 
side, and capable of making a powerful resistence; twenty-five 
hundred men have been accommodated in it. A little further 
westward, another fort presents itself, built of earth, and strong- 
ly palisaded, having in the centre of it a block house, one story 
high; it mounts twenty eight guns. Midway between these two 
works is a powder magazine, enclosed within a very strong 
picketing. 

By the side of the road that leads to Henderson Harbor, stands 
Fort Virginia, a square work, with bastions at the angles, cov- 
ered with strong line of palisades, but no ditch; it is armed with 
sixteen guns, and has a block house in the middle of it.* Fort 
Chauncey is a small circular tower, covered with plank, and 
loopholed for the use of musketry, intended for a small arm de- 
fence only. It is situated a small distance from the village, and 
commands the road that leads to Sandy Creek. In addition to 
those works of strength, there are several block houses in differ- 
ent situations, that altogether render the place very secure, and 
capable of resisting a powerful attack; indeed, from recent 
events, the Americans have attached much importance to it, and 
with their accustomed celerity have spared no exertions to ren- 
der it formidable." 

The revenue cutter Jefferson was built by government at Os- 
wego, for public service on Lake Ontario, in the summer of 
1844. She was 152 feet long, 24 feet beam, pierced for 
sixteen guns, with one long sixty-eight on a pivot on deck. 
She was built of iron by Messrs. Knapp & Co., of Pittsburgh, 
after the model of the Princeton, and to be propelled by steam 
on the same principle.! She was to be commanded by Lieuten- 
ant Charles W. Bennet, of the revenue service. After service 
on the lake one or two seasons, this vessel passed down the St. 
Lawrence, and has since been upon the high seas. 

* This block bouse is still standing. It is square, and two stories high, 
with the second story placed obliquely across the first, so as to leave its cor- 
ners over-hanging, while the corners of the first story are covered by roofs. 
The roof slopes from the centre to each side. fBy screw wheels in stern. 



The Events of 1837-40. 519 

CHAFTEE XIV. 

THE EVENTS OF 1837-1840. 

The auortive attempt to revolutionize the Canadas, generally 
denominated the Patriot War, has claims to our notice, from the 
fact that Jefferson County was the theatre of excitement, and the 
scene of follies and excesses that for some time became the ab- 
sorbing theme of discussion throughout the country, and called 
into exercise the military force of the country, to suppress these 
indications of sympathy with measures that threatened to disturb 
our amicable relations with a neighboring government. 

Without attempting a discussion of the origin or merits of this 
movement, we shall limit ourselves to a recital of the events that 
transpired in the county, or with which our citizens were di- 
rectly interested. 

The burning of the steamer Caroline, near Niagara Falls, on 
the 29th of December, 1837, by a band of men from Canada, 
aroused a general indignation throughout the country, and our 
Citizens, everywhere, irrespective of party, held meetings to 
denounce the act, and to call upon the executive to provide for 
the protection of our shores against invasion by subjects of a 
foreign power. 

In accordance with this feeling, congress, on the 30th of Jan- 
uary, 1S38, appropriated $'625,000 lor the protection of the 
northern frontier, and calling out militia or volunteers, or adopt- 
ing such other measures as might be deemed necessary by the 
secretary of war, under the direction of the president. On the 
same day a circular was issued at Watertown, signed by six well 
known citizens, asking contributions in money, provisions, and 
clothing, in aid of the political refugees from Canada, who had 
taken shelter among us. They disclaimed any intention of aid- 
ing the revolutionary movements, and professed to be law-abiding 
and order-loving citizens. 

Meanwhile, secret clubs, known as Hunter Lodges, had been 
instituted in most of the villages, at which plans for invading 
Canada were discussed, moneys raised for procuring arms and 
ammunition, companies enlisted, intelligence communicated in 
circulars and by cypher, and an arbitrary system of names for the 
several officers in the proposed service was agreed upon, to pre- 
vent detection. Preparations were made for an attack upon 
Canada while the St. Lawrence was still bridged with ice, and 
Kingston was selected as a point upon which an enterprise was 
to be undertaken. 



520 The Events of 1837-40. 

On the night of the 19th of February, the state arsenal at 
Watertown was entered, and four hundred stand of arms were 
stolen by persons who were supposed to be concerned in these 
movements. A reward of $250 was offered for the apprehen- 
sion of the authors of this outrage, but failed to procure the 
intelligence sufficient to warrant their arrest. A portion of the 
stolen property was afterwards recovered. The arsenals at Ba- 
tavia, and Elizabethtown were also plundered, and with these, and 
other means, a supply of arms and ammunition sufficient for exten- 
sive military operations were collected and concealed. On Tues- 
day, February 20, in the afternoon and evening, forces began to 
arrive at Clayton (French Creek), with a supply of arms and 
munitions, consisting, it is said, of 4,000 stand of arms, 20 bar- 
rels of cartridges, 500 long pikes, and some provisions. Several 
hundred men under General Rensselaer Van Rensselaer arrived 
in sleighs, from various places in this and adjoining counties, 
with the avowed design of making a lodgment at Gananoqui 
from whence an attack was to be attempted upon Kingston. The 
day following was intensely cold, and the men suffered much 
from exposure. There was little discipline, and less organiza- 
tion among this promiscuous assemblage; and even among those 
who affected the command, there was a mutual jealousy, and a 
want of energy and decision, which a conscious sense of recti- 
tude, and high conviction of duty can alone inspire. A portion cf 
these repaired, on foot and in sleighs, to Hickory Island, on the 
British side of the channel, about seven miles from Clayton. It 
is said that McKenzie was here dissatisfied that Van Rensselaer 
was to command, which threw a damper on the whole affair. 
On calling for volunteers to proceed, eighty-three appeared at 
the first, seventy-one at the second, and thirty-five at the third 
call; then, acting upon the maxim of " every man for himself," 
this motley band dispersed; the officers, with the utmost difficulty, 
retaining a sufficient number to remove the arms they had taken 
over. It would seem that very liitle was to be apprehended 
from such invasions; yet the rumor of this movement, reaching 
Kingston, occasioned some uneasiness, and preparations were 
made to resist any attack that might be made, or act on the of- 
fensive should the occasion require it. 

From the Kingston papers, we learn that Colonel Cubitt, 
R. A., commandant, and Lieutenant Colonel Bonnycastle, com- 
manding the militia of that post, aided by the magistrates, organ- 
ized a force of 1600, a part of whom took a strong position on 
Wolf Island. Arrangements were made to attack the invaders 
at their rendezvous, but before the morning of the 23d dawned, 
the patriot chieftain had fled, like Ben-hadad the Syrian,* with 

* II Kings, vii. 



The Events of 1837-40. 521 

no one in pursuit, and leaving in his haste a part of the weapons 
and supplies he had carried into the territory of his enemy. 

This panic is said to have been enhanced by the declaration 
of a militia captain, of the war of 1812, who passed up and 
down the crowd, and proclained with a loud voice, that before 
•morning they would be all massacred! The thought of this 
awful fate gave wings to their flight, and, in an incredibly short 
space of time, the new recruits were dispersed to their homes, 
and the village was relieved of their presence. The next day, 
a British party visited the island, and found among other things 
a quantity of broken iron, intended to have been used as slugs, 
instead of grape shot. 

Two citizens of Clayton (John Packard and George Hulsen- 
berg) were captured and lodged in Kingston jail. 

Soon after this affair, two companies of militia were called 
out and stationed at Cape Vincent, and about half a dozen at 
Clayton, where they remained several weeks, to intercept any 
other expedition that might be fitted out against Canada. 

On the 10th of March, an act was passed by congress, em- 
powering " the several collectors, naval officers, surveyors, 
inspectors of customs, the marshals and deputy marshals of the 
United States, and every other officer who might be specially 
empowered by the president, to seize and detain any vessel, or any 
arms, or munitions of war, which may be provided, or prepared for 
any military expedition or enterprise against the territory or domin- 
ions of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district or 
people adjacent to the United States." 

On the night between the 29th and 30th of May, 1838, the 
British steamer Sir Robert Peel was plundered and burned at 
Well's Island, under the following circumstances. This boat 
was owned by David E. 0. Ford, of Brockville, Jonas Jones, of 
Toronto, William Bacon, of Ogdensburgh, each a quarter, and 
the other quarter by George Sherwood and Henry Jones, trus- 
tees of the creditors of Horace Billings & Co., of Brockville. 
She was built at the latter place at a cost of $44,000, and first 
came out in June, 1837. She was 160 feet long and 30 feet 
beam, and was commanded by John B. Armstrong. She was 
then on her way from Prescott to Toronto, with nineteen passen- 
gers, and had left Brockville in the evening, which was dark 
and rainy, and arrived at McDonnel's wharf, on the south side 
of W T ell's Island, in Clayton, at midnight, for the purpose of 
taking on wood. 

Threats of violence had been intimated, and before the steamer 
had left Brockville, it was hinted to one on board that there was 
danger of an attack, but this threat was not regarded. The 
passengers were asleep in the cabin, and the crew had been en- 



522 The Events of 1837-40. 

gaged about two hours in taking on wood, when a company of 
twenty-two men, disguised, and painted like savages, and armed 
with muskets and bayonets, rushed on board, yelling, and shout- 
ing "remember the Caroline !" drove the passengers and crew 
to the shore, allowing but a hasty opportunity lor removing a 
small part of the baggage, and towards morning, having cast olF 
the boat into the stream, to about thirty rods distance, set it on 
fire. The scene of confusion and alarm which this midnight 
attack occasioned among the passengers, can be better imagined 
than described. 

Some of them fled to the shore in their night clothes, and 
a considerable portion of their baggage was lost. After the boat 
was fired in several places, the party, including Thomas Scott, a 
passenger (a surgeon, who had remained to dress a wound), 
got into two long boats, and steered for Abel's Island, four miles 
from Wells's Island, where they arrived about sunrise. He stated 
that there were twenty-two persons beside himself and the 
wounded man in the two boats. These brigands were known 
to each other by fictitious names, as Tecumseh, Sir William 
Wallace, Judge Lynch, Captain Crocket, Nelson, Captain 
Crocker, Bolivar, and Admiral Benbo. Several thousand 
dollars in one package, and also smaller sums, were taken 
from the boat, with various articles of clothing. The only 
house in the vicinity of the wharf was the woodman's shanty, 
where the passengeis found shelter until five o'clock in the morn- 
ing, when the Oneida, Captain Smith, came down on her regular 
trip, and finding the distressed situation of these unfortunate per- 
sons, relumed with them to Kingston. 

It is said to have been the intention of those who took the 
Peel, to have captured with her aid the steamer Great Britain 
the next day, and to have cruised with these steamers on the 
lake, and transport troops and supplies for the patriot service. 

The acknowledged leader of this infamous outrage, was Wil- 
liam Johnston, better known as Bill Johnston, who, since ihe 
war with Great Britain, had been known on the lines as a vin- 
dictive enemy to Canada, and at a moment's notice ready for any 
broil that might afford him an opportunity for revenging the in- 
juries he claimed to have received from that government. He 
was born at Three Rivers, L. C, Feb 1st., 1782, and from 1784 
till 1812 lived near Kingston. He was here employed as a gro- 
cer, and at the occurrence of the war was connected with a mili- 
tary company, but was seized on a charge of insubordination, 
and lodged in jail, from which he escaped, and Red to the Ameri- 
can shore. He was soon employed as a spy, and on one occasion 
robbed the British mail, containing important official despatches, 
which he safely brought to the military commandant at Sackets 



The Events of 1837-40. 523 

Harbor. In another of his adventures, he was cast on the 
Canada shore, and his companions allowed to return; but not 
wishing to run the hazard of a disclosure, he concealed himself, 
and finally escaped with much peril. His familiarity with the 
geography of Canada, made him particularly serviceable in pro- 
curing intelligence. 

At a recent interview, Johnston assured the author, that he had 
been promised 150 men by a Cleveland committee who had 
planned the capture, and that the assailants numbered but thirteen 
men. 

Governor Marcy immediately hastened to the county upon 
receipt of the news, and on the 4th of June offered a reward of 
$'500 for Johnston, $250 each for David McLeod, Samuel C. 
Frey, and Robert Smith, alleged to be concerned in the destruc- 
tion of the Peel, and $100, each, for others who might be convicted 
of the same otlence. In a letter from Watertown, dated June 3, 
to the secretary of war, he advised the co-operation of our 
government with that of Canada, in pursuing the offenders. 

On the 2d of June, the Earl of Durham, captain general of the 
British military forces in Canada, issued from Quebec a procla- 
mation, offering a reward of £ 1,000, for the conviction of any 
person actually engaged in, or directly aiding and abetting this 
outrage. The inhabitants were assured that a sufficient military 
force should be immediately concentrated at such points as shall 
be best able to protect the frontiers from aggression; and the 
United States government was called upon to vindicate her laws, 
and enforce the neutrality of her borders. Her majesty's sub- 
jects were exhorted to abstain from acts of retaliation. 

His Excellency Lieutenant Colonel Sir John Colburn, arrived 
at Brockville on the 5th, to direct personally any measures that 
might be deemed necessary. 

Several arrests were made the next day, and on the 7th of June, 
Win. Anderson, James Potts, Nathan Lee, Chester Warner, Seth 
Warner, Wm. Smith, Marshall W. Forward, Wm. S. Nichols, 
and Henry Hunter, all, but Lee, Canadians, were in jail at Wa- 
tertown, charged with having shared in this affair. Several 
others were afterwards committed, and for several days it was 
thought necessary to guard the jail containing the prisoners, as 
threats of attempt at rescue had been made. 

On the 23d of June, the trial of these prisoners commenced 
at Watertown, with that of Anderson, who was indicted tor arson, 
upon six counts; the first of which expressed that crime in the 
highest degree. This trial was conducted before John P. Cush- 
man, one of the circuit judges, Calvin McKnight, Benjamin 
Wright, and others, and excited extraordinary interest. When 
submitted to the jury, the latter, after a deliberation of two hours, 
brought in a verdict of not guilty. 



524 The Events of 1837-40. 

On the 13th of December, seven prisoners were, for want of 
witnesses from Canada, discharged from confinement, but not 
from indictment. 

Immediately after news of this reached Washington, Major 
General Macomb was dispatched to Sackets Harbor, to take 
such measures as the exigencies of the occasion required. 

On the 20th of June he sent word to Sir John Colborne, 
or the officer commanding at Kingston, inviting his co-operation 
in a search among the Thousand Islands for the persons who had 
plundered and burned the Peel; and about a week afterwards, 
Colonel Dundas, of the British army, commandant at Kingston, 
and Captain Sandom of the royal navy, crossed to hold an inter- 
view, which resulted in an agreement for a joint effort to be 
made on the 2d of July, to arrest the parties. After a search 
of several days, their retreat was discovered; but in their attempt 
to take the outlaws, all but two escaped. The gang consisted 
of but eight men at that time, of whom, Johnston was one; they 
were well supplied with arms and ammunition, and had a fast- 
rowing boat. These efforts, to arrest the leader of the expedition, 
were fruitless, and he was not captured till after the affair at 
Prescott, late in the ensuing autumn. 

The immediate command of the frontier was given, on Ihe 
2Sth, to Lieutenant Colonel Cummings, of the 2d infantry, and 
subsequently to Colonel Worth. The steamer Telegraph was 
chartered by our government, and several steamers were fitted up 
by the Canadian authorities, for the protection of the borders. 
Congress, on the 7th of July, appropriated $20,000 for the de- 
fense of the St. Lawrence line. 

On ihe 11th of November, the steamer United States touched 
at Sackets Harbor, on her downward trip, having on board 150 
male passengers with little baggage; and many circumstances oc- 
curred calculated to excite suspicion that they wery engaged on 
some military expedition. Their number was here increased by 
twenty or thirty more, and at Cape Vincent by ten or eleven. 
On arriving a little below Millen's Bay, she overtook the Char- 
lotte of Oswego, and the Charlotte of Toronto, two schooners 
that had left Oswego on the 10th, while the United Slates was 
in port, which vessels were taken in tow, one on each side, 
with which she continued down the river. As soon appeared, 
these vessels contained munitions of war, and the great numbers 
of men, who, with the passengers on board the steamer, weie 
mosily destined for a descent upon Piescott. 

It is not within our limits to detail the events that ensued, and 
the melancholy issue of the memorable battle at Windmill Point,* 

* This expedition is fully described in our History of St. Lawience and 
Franklin counties, pp. 661—674. 



The Events of 1837-40. 

which revolutionized public opinion on the subject, by revealing 
the consequences to which these measures were tending-. It also 
had a salutary influence upon the public mind, by disclosing the 
cowardice and treachery of those who had been foremost in pro- 
moting the expedition, but who shrunk from the test of leaden 
bullets, and fled; leaving the unfortunate victims of their dupli- 
city, the majority of whom were youth under age, to atone with 
their blood, or with long, bitter years of exile, for their indiscre- 
tion. 

Bill Johnston was captured November 17, and conveyed to 
Auburn, where he escaped. He was afterwards recaptured by 
William Vaughan (about seven miles north of New London, and 
ten from Rome) by whom he was delivered to the United Stales 
marshal and lodged in jail at Albany. He escaped from ihence, 
and was for some time obliged to avoid the pursuit of civil offi- 
cers. After tranquility had been restored, he returned to quiet 
life, at the village of Clayton, and, by the present administra- 
tion, has been appointed keeper of Rock Island Light, that 
shines on the spot where the Peel was burned. 

The patriot prisoners, under the command of Von Schoultz, a 
Polish exile, who had seen much military service in his native 
country, were conveyed to Fort Henry, at Kingston, and tried by 
a court martial, that begun its session November 26, 1838. The 
rule adopted by this court was to execute all of the officers that 
were known to be such, try and sentence the rest, reprieve the 
minors, and banish the remainder to the pen'il colony of Van 
Dieman's Land. It- is probable that they were induced to relax 
somewhat from the rigor with which they begun, from the feel- 
ing which the issue of the expedition had occasioned in the 
States, and the disposition that was everywhere evinced to dis- 
countenance further aggression. In Jefferson county, meetings 
w r ere held at Cape Vincent, December 18th; at Saekets Harbor 
on the 21st; at Depauville and Ellis Village on the 27th, and at 
La Fargeville on the 3 1st, at which contributions were made for 
supplying the wants of the prisoners, conciliatory speeches were 
delivered, and resolutions passed, and published in the papers, 
discouraging any further agitation of a question that threatened 
to embroil the two nations in a war, and make their territory the 
theatre of a sanguinary struggle. Several gentlemen from 
abroad were especially active in quieting this excitement, of 
whom Judge Gridley and Joshua A. Spencer, of Utiea, were pro- 
minent. The grand jury, at the December term of the county 
court, as a body, published a short manifesto, deprecating the 
continuance of the secret associations, and a meeting was 
held at the court house in pursuance of a notice from the bench, 
on the evening of December 18th, to promote the peace and 
harmony of the frontier. 



526 The Events of 1837-40. 

Of this meeting the Hon. Calvin McKnight, first judge, was 
chosen president, Daniel Ward well, Eli Farwell, Thomas Loomis, 
Abner 13aker, Jr., and 0. V. Brainard, vice presidents; Dr. 
Reuben Goodale, ami Joseph Mullin, Esq., secretaries. Colonel 
C. Baker, late sheriff, and E. G. Merrick, Esq., related their recent 
visit to Kingston, to learn the condition of the prisoners. They 
had found the authorities disposed to give these unfortunate men 
all advantages consistent, and the citizens of Canada generally 
active and determined in their purpose of resisting any attempt 
at revolution. They had employed secret messengers to visit 
the states, gain access to the hunter lodges, and keep them 
informed of every movement on foot, with the preparations 
made, and persons engaged in these measures. The meeting 
was addressed by J. A. Spencer, Esq , of Utica, Judge Gridley, 
Hon. Samuel Beardsley, Attorney General R. Hulbert, T. C. 
Chittenden, E. Camp, William Smith, and Daniel Wardwell, 
who urged the importance of sustaining our laws and adopting 
immediate, but pacific measures for preserving tranquility, ar- 
resting further agitation and mitigating the fate of the prisoners 
in Kingston. At an adjourned meeting, held next day, the fol- 
lowing resolutions were passed, which are believed to embody 
the sentiment of the msjority of our citizens: 

" Resolved, That we regard the preservation of peace with 
Great Britain, as all important to the best interests of the Ameri- 
can and British nations; but that we have no reason to expect 
its long continuance, unless our citizens refrain from hostile in- 
vasions of, or intermeddling with, his territories. 

Resolved, That we feel a deep seated desire to maintain and 
preserve the greatest freedom of intercourse and the most friendly 
relations with our neighbors of Canada; and that the best evi- 
dence we can give of our sincerity will be, to do unto them, as 
they do unto us — leave them to enjoy the government of their 
choice. 

Resolved, That the inhabitants of our frontier are loudly called 
upon by every consideration of justice and sound policy, to exert 
themselves to the utmost of their power, to prevent all hostile 
invasion into the neighboring Canadian provinces, by bands of 
armed men from our borders, and that we pledge ourselves to 
our government, and to each other, faithfully and fearlessly to 
discharge this sacred and too-long neglected duty. 

Resolved, That any movements injurious to Canada, are open, 
flagrant violations, alike of international law, of the enactments 
ofthe Congress of the United States and of the Canadian Provincial 
Parliament, and that our ministerial officers, civil magistrates, 
and judicial tribunals should be vigilant and prompt to arrest, 
and ready to condemn every and any violation of our laws. 



The Events of 1837-40. 527 

Resolved, That there is too much reason to believe, that many of 
our citizens have formed themselves into secret lodges, or socie- 
ties, under the sanction of extra-judicial oaths, for the purpose of 
promoting the organization and armament of bands of men, to 
invade the Canadas, and that we earnestly call upon these mis- 
guided citizens every where, and at once, to disband. 

Resolved, That we regard the late attack on Prescott as char- 
acterized alike by rashness, weakness, and folly; and that while 
we pointedly condemn and rebuke those engaged in it, we feel 
called upon to express our solemn conviction that most, if not all 
of them, were influenced by misrepresentation, and acting under 
a delusion as strange and unaccountable as is has been disastrous 
and fatal, without any feelings of hostility towards our Canadian 
neighbors, but under the expectation and belief, that instead of 
fighting with, they would be hailed by them, as the champions 
of liberty, and received with open arms and heart-felt greetings. 

Resolved, That we, in common with all our countrymen, feci 
a deep commiseration for our misguided citizens, captured near 
Prescott, and now in confinement at Fort Henry, in Canada, and 
that while we acknowledge the right of the provincial authori- 
ties to condemn according to the laws of their country, in the 
exercise of this authority we hope to see justice tempered with 
mercy, and expect to witness magnanimous treatment towards 
these unfortunate men, worthy of a brave and generous people." 

Delegations were sent from various places to Kingston, to ob- 
tain some mitigation of the fate of the prisoners, among which 
were the Hon. John Fine, and C. G. Myers, of Ogdensburgh, the 
persons above named from this county, and numerous relatives of 
the patriot captives, who were treated with civility, and shown 
all the indulgence that under the circumstances could be ex- 
tended. Von Schoultz, Daniel George, Dorephus Abbey, Dun- 
can Anderson, Christopher Buckley, Sylvester A. Lawton, Joel 
Peeler, Russell Phelps, Sylvanus Sweet, and Martin Woodruff, 
were hung; eighteen were released, fifty-eight pardoned, sixty 
transported, three were acquitted, four turned Queen's evidence, 
and of ten we have been unable to ascertain their fate.* 

The Court Martial adjourned from January 4th, till February 
26th. A mass meeting, consisting of from two thousand to three 
thousand persons, assembled in front of the court house, February 
23d, under the impression that more executions were about to 
take place at Kingston, and resolutions less conciliatory than 
those of the former meeting were passed. 

On the 8th of April, 1839, the British steamer Commodore 
Barrie, under the orders of Col. A. McDonell, sheriff of Midland 

* For a list of these prisoners, with the fate of each, see history of St. 
Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. C73. 



528 The Events of 1837-40. 

District, Upper Canada, arrived at Sackets Harbor, with twenty- 
two prisoners, pardoned by the lieutenant governor. The magis- 
trates of the village were sent for, and the colonel informed them 
what had been done for the prisoners, and earnestly hoped, that 
it would have a happy effect in allaying the existing excitement. 
This was met by an answer expressing, in warm terms, their sense 
of gratitude for this exercise of clemency, and the thanks of our 
citizens to the government. The pardoned prisoners, before 
separating for their homes, drew up and signed a paper express- 
ing their obligation to the Canadian government, for the clemency 
shown, and urging pacific measures in future. On the 27th of 
April, thirty-seven more prisoners arrived at Sackets Harbor. 

On the 6th of June, 1840, an infamous attempt was made at 
Oswego, to burn the British steamer Great Britain, by conveying 
on board a trunk, charged with explosive and combustible mater- 
ials. The explosion took place, doing considerable injury, but 
the flames were soon arrested. Lett and Defoe, two Canadian 
refugees, were arrested, eharged with this outrage, and a confes- 
sion was obtained, in which the design of burning the vessel was 
avowed, with the hope of renewing irritation between the two 
governments. The trunks contained copal, turpentine, nitre, and 
powder, packed in cotton, to which a fuse was attached. 

With this, closed the active measures of disturbance on our 
border, but the irritation was slow to subside, and restless spirits 
were found, who labored to excite a broil between the two na- 
tions, without success. For one or two years a steamer was kept 
in commission on the lake, and troops were stationed at Madison 
Barracks still later. That some were honest and believed them- 
selves patriotic in this affair, may be admitted, while it can not 
be denied that the majority thirsted for power, wealth or plunder, 
according as trey were actuated by ambition or avarice. 

Among the humbugs connected with this speculation, was the 
plan of a bank, the ostensible object of which was, first, 1o " aid 
the cause of liberty," by loans to the President of the Conven- 
tion, for the patriotic service, after which loans were to be made 
to individuals, for private business. The capital was at first only 
$7,500,000, in shares of $50 each, but it was designed to be ex- 
tended, so as " to allow every individual on the continent to hold 
one share." The whole wealth, revenue, and resources of the 
patriot dominions (that they had, or that they may hereafter 
have dominion over), were pledged for the faithful repayment of 
the sums subscribed, with interest. Subscriptions were taken of 
sixpence a week, or half a dollar every two months. 

" The vignette of the bills are to be heads of the late martyrs to 
the cause of liberty in Canada; the head of Matthews on the left 
end of the bill, the head of Lount in the centre, with the words, 



Geology, Mineralogy, fyc 529 

in a semi-circle over it, The Murdered; Death or Victory; on 
the margins of the bills will be the words Liberty, Equality, 
Fraternity. The name of the bank will be the Republican Bank 
of Canada." 

We have no statistics of the dividends of this institution, but 
have been assured that there were such — the capital being di- 
vided among i&few. 

On the 5th of September, 1S4 1, the prevalence of the secret 
clubs called forth a proclamation from President Tyler, for their 
suppression. 



CHAPTER XV. 

GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, &c. 

To an agricultural population, like that which forms the basis 
of society in Jefferson County, t'here are none of the physical 
sciences which have stronger claims to attention than geology, 
and its allied branches, mineralogy and chemistry, for it is these 
that teach the character and capabilities of the soil, and the 
train of causes which, acting harmoniously through long periods 
of time, compared with which, the historic eras of man are but as 
moments, have gradually prepared the earth's surface for his 
support; given form and beauty to its hills and plains; scooped 
out the valleys through which rivers find their way to the sea, 
and placed stores of metallic wealth within reach of his labors. 
Nor have these agencies failed to record their action in the traces 
they have left, as enduring as time, yet easily interpreted, and 
abundantly rewarding such as will but observe them. There 
can not be a pursuit more engaging, or better calculated to impart 
a true knowledge of the grandeur and harmony of nature's works, 
and a devout reverence for their Author. 

Such is the intimate relation between the soil and the rock 
from which it has been derived, and usually with that by which 
it is immediately underlaid, that a definite knowledge of its 
capabilities can scarcely be had without an acquaintance with 
the latter. Besides this, we are indebled to mineral products 
for so many articles of necessity, to say nothing of conveniences 
and luxuries in life, that their relations, and the indications which 



530 Primary Rocks. 

lead to their occurrence, become subjects of necessary know- 
ledge, inclispensible to our civilization, and eminently deserving 
of encouragement. Although for extent anil variety of mineral 
products, our country will not compare with some others, yet the 
held of useful observation and practical research is far from be- 
ing barren, and there does not occur an acre but that yields ma- 
terials for profitable thought, and some trace worthy of notice. 
Geologists divide rocks into two great classes, named from their 
relative ages, 'primary, and sedimentary or secondary ; the first 
never presenting traces of organic remains but from their crys- 
taline character, and mode of occurrence, often exhibit evidences 
of having been subjected to the agency of heat, while the latter 
appear made up of materials derived from the former, broken up 
and deposited in water, and usually contain fossil remains of 
animals and plants, that lived at the period of their formation. 
As we ascend in the series, we find the characters of the rocky 
strata vary, as'if their deposit had been produced under different 
agencies, which had changed repeatedly, and at each time the 
forms of organic life had disappeared, to give place to some 
other, which had in like manner passed away; and so constant 
is the type of these fossil remains for each class of rocks, that it 
affords an infallible guide, when present, to a knowledge of the 
place, and relation, of the rocks in which they occur. The science 
of Paleontology, has for its object, the classification and descrip- 
tion of these fossil remains, and few sections afford a more pro- 
fitable field for these researches than this county. Both primary 
and secondary rocks occur in Jefferson County; the former of 
which, with the dividing line between them, affords the only 
rational prospects of valuable metallic veins and deposits, as well 
as most of the crystaline minerals, which form so attractive 
objects to the mineralogist, and such dazzling ornaments to ca- 
binets. Of the latter, however, we are not without localities 
that vie with the most noted, and the primative region of the 
county will abundantly repay the labor bestowed upon mineral 
collection. The details of these will be hereafter given. The 
rock constituting the primary, is mainly composed of gneiss; a 
mixture of quartz, hornblende and feldspar, which are regarded 
as elementary or simple minerals, and make up by far the largest 
part of what is known of the earth's surface. In gneiss, these 
usually occur in irregular strata, often contorted, never horizontal, 
and seldom continuing of uniform thickness more than a few feet. 
It forms by far the largest part of the surface rock, throughout 
Ihe great northern forest of New York, embracing nearly the 
whole of Hamilton, and a part of Lewis, Herkimer, Fulton, 
Saratoga, Warren, Essex, Clinton, Franklin, and St. Lawrence 
counties, and in Jefferson, this rock constitutes the greater part 



Potsdam Sandstone. — Cylindrical Structure. 531 

of the islands in the St. Lawrence, between French Creek and 
Morristown, and appears in Clayton, Orleans, and Alexandria on 
the river bank; in the latter town extends back a mile or two 
i'rom the shore. It forms a strip, extending up on both sides of 
Indian River to Theresa Village, and the shores and Islands of 
most of the lakes of that town and Antwerp, and much of the 
country within the node of Indian River, towards the village of 
Philadelphia, where it forms the surface rock and extends to 
Antwerp, the greater part of which it underlies. From this town 
it extends along Indian River to the village of Natural Bridge, 
and thence to Carthage, where it forms the islands among the 
rapids of the Long Falls, and thence follows up the river, keeping 
a little west of its channel, through Lewis into Oneida County. 
In this area there are occasional ledges of white or primary 
limestone, especially in Antwerp, with limited quantities of ser- 
pentine, and superficial patches of sandstone. 

Lying next above the primitive, and forming a considerable 
amount of surface rock, in Alexandria, Theresa, Clayton, Orleans, 
and Antwerp, is the Potsdam sandstone, so named from the fine 
manner in which it is developed in that town. It is the oldest of 
sedimentary rocks, and contains (but rarely) the forms of organic 
bodies, that were created at the dawn of the vital principle. 
Two genera, one a plant, the other shell, have been found in 
this rock, but so rarely, that it may be almost said to be without 
fossils. Its principal constituent is silex, in the form of sand, 
firmly consolidated, and forming, where it can be cleaved into 
blocks of regular shape and uniform size, a most elegant and 
durable building material. 

In the vicinity of Theresa, Redwood, &c, there occurs in numer- 
ous places in this rock, the cylindrical structure, common at 
many localities in St. Lawrence county,* and apparently pro- 
duced by eddies acting upon the sands at the bottom of shallow 
water. Ripple marks are of constant occurrence in the same 
localities, confirming the supposition that the material that now 
forms this rock was once a mass of incoherent sand. This form- 
ation is generally in thick masses, often disturbed by uphea- 
vals, almost invariably inclined from the horizontal, and seldom 
in this county so evenly stratified as to admit of that uniformity 
of fracture that gives value to it as a building material at Pots- 
dam, Malone, &c. It is, however, extensively used for this 
purpose, and forms a cheap and durable, but not an elegant 
wall. This rock has two applications in the useful arts, of great 
importance; the lining of blast furnaces, and the manufacture of 
glass, for the former of which it has been used extensively at 
all the furnaces in the northern counties, and for the latter, at 

* History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. 678. 



532 Potsdam and Calciferous Sandstones. 

Redwood. The quarry that has been most used for lining stone, 
occurs on the farm of Hiram B. Keene in Antwerp, where the 
rock occurs highly inclined, but capable of being divided into 
blocks of uniform texture, and any desirable size. The edges 
of the stone, when laid in the furnace, are exposed to the fire, 
and become slightly fused, forming a glazing to the surface. It 
is seldom that a material is found so finely adapted to this pur- 
pose. For the manufacture of glass the stone is calcined in 
kilns and crushed and sifted, when it affords a sand of much 
whiteness, and eminently suitable for the purpose. 

This rock is generally oveilaid by a fertile soil, but this is 
more due to the accidental deposition of drift than the disinte- 
gration of the rock itself, for such is its permanence that it can 
scarcely be found to have yielded to the destructive agencies 
that have covered many other rocks with soil. The polished 
and scratched surfaces given by diluvial attrition are almost uni- 
formly preserved, and wherever this formation appears at the 
surface, it presents a hardness and sharpness of outline strongly 
indicative of its capacity to resist decay. On this account it 
should be selected when possible, for the piers of bridges, the 
foundation of houses, and other structure where permanence and 
solidity are required. A very peculiar feature is presented by 
the margin of this rock, which, by the practiced eye, may be 
detected at a distance, and which strongly distinguishes it from 
all others. The outline is generally an abrupt escarpment, 
sometimes extending with much regularity tor miles, occasion- 
ally broken by broad ragged ravines, or existing as outstanding 
insular masses, and always presenting, along the foot of the preci- 
pice, huge masses of rock that have fallen from above. The most 
remarkable terrace of this kind begins on the north shore of 
Black Lake, in Morristown, and extends through Hammond into 
Alexandria, much of the distance near the line of the Military 
Road, and other instances are common throughout the region 
underlaid by this rock. 

Next, in the ascending series, is a rock which, in this part of 
the state, constitutes a thin but level formation, and from its being 
a sandy limestone, has been named calciferous sandstone. It is 
generally an open, porous texture, much discolored by iron, and, 
occasionally, like some strata of the sandstone beneath it, filled 
with small masses of incoherent sand, that easily falls out, leav- 
ing irregular cells. It is ihis rock that contains the beautiful 
quartz crystals, for which Middleville and the vicinity of Rockton, 
in Heikimer County have become celebrated. It appears as the sur- 
face rock between Antwerp and Carthage ; between the Checkered 
House, in Wilna, and the Natural Bridge; between Antwerp and 
Sterlingville; and, in Theresa, Alexandria, Orleans, and Clayton. 





Calciferous Sandstone. 533 

It is valueless as a building material, from its coarse, rotten text- 
ure, and want of regular fracture. In many places it is filled 
with the forms of marine plants, which, though obscure, are con- 
clusive, and appear to have been like some still existing, with 
thick, succulent, hollow stems. Shells are less common, and are 
but imperfectly preserved, constituting seven genera, and about 
a dozen species. In the 
annexed cut, fig. 1 is the 
Ophelitea levata, 2, O. 
complanata, and 3 a cri- 
noidal plate, found with 
the others.* Of the pro- 
bable condition of the 
earth's surface when this 

rock was forming, Professor Hall has made the following re- 
in arks :f 

" During the progress of this formation, and towards its close, 
a considerable number of forms of animal life appear to have 
been called into existence. We have passed from that condition 
of the earth unfavorable to animal development, and we per- 
ceive the gradual change, which, in the next period, presents us 
with swarms of animated existences. If we can, in imagina- 
tion, allow ourselves to go back to the preceding epoch — to 
fancy the earth enveloped in one waste of ocean, save, perhaps, 
a few rocky peaks; when the natural agitation of the waters by 
the winds was increased by volcanic or igneous outburstings; 
while the rocky points were abraded, and thence fine sand and 
pebbles spread over the bed of the ocean, we behold life, strug- 
gling into existence in this stormy period, only manifested in the 
fragile yet enduring form of the little Lingula, while an appa- 
rently rootless, leafless plant, is the representative of the vege- 
table kingdom. 

Look forward from this period to a gradual change — a more 
congenial element to the inhabitants of the ocean comes, in the 
form of calcareous matter, and new organisms are gradually 
called into existence. Still the heated waters bear their burden 
of silex in solution, and now they permeate every portion of this 
habitation of the new-born vitality, destroying the living, en- 
veloping the dead in a silecious paste, and preventing that 
development of numbers which awaits only a more congenial 
condition." 

Next above this rock is the Chazy Limestone, that occurs 
highly developed, and abounding in organic remains, but, accord- 
ing to Professor Emmons, does not appear in the Black River 

*Vanuxen's Geological Report, p. 36-, Hall's Palaeontology, i, 11. 
t Palaeontology of New York, i, 5. 
34 



534 



Birdseye Limestone. 



valley. The next rock there, is the Birds-Eye Limestone, which 
includes the close-grained, hard, and thick-bedded strata, in 
which the layers of water lime stone occur in Le Ray, Pamelia, 
Orleans, Brownville and Clayton. The properties which give it 
value as a hydraulic cement, are uncertain, as upon analysis it is 
found to contain variable proportions of silica, alumina and 
magnesia. In manufacturing, it is calcined, crushed and ground 
in a mill. Its color is usually bluish and light gray, weathering 
to an ashen gray; its fracture is more or less flinty, with many 
crystaline points, and its fossils few and seldom obtained, except 
on the weathered surface. Its characteristic fossil, in the man- 
ner in which its vertical stems divide and interlace with each 
other, presents features totally distinct from any known analogy, 
either in marine plants, or the zoophytes. These stems are filled 
with crystaline matter, and often make up a great part of its 
mass. It has received from Professor Hall the generic name of 
Phytopsis* of which there are two species, P. tubulosum and 
P. cellulosum, both of which occur abundantly in this county. 




Phytopsis tubulosum. 
The latter presents diverging masses like roots, and is not so 
generally crystaline. "When polished, this rock present an ap- 
pearance which has given it the name, and in quarrying it readi- 
ly breaks into regular masses. Its brittleness, when struck with 
a smart blow, prevents it being useful as a marble. Some layers 
make a good lime, and on the weathered surface there often is 
seen a toothed appearance, like the sutures of a skull, which is 
attribute dto fibrous crystals of sulphate of strontia, that have 
been dissolved out. 

This forms the surface rock over a considerable extent of 
Cape Vincent, Lyme, Brownville, Pamelia, Le Ray, and Wilna. 
The part that overlies the yellowish or water lime strata, abounds 

*Palaentologyof New York, i, 38. 



Black River Limestone. 



535 



in nodules of flint, that everywhere stand in relief upon the 
weathered surface. These are thought to be the fossil remains 
of sponges, or other forms of animal life, analagous. These 
masses of flint often contain shells, corals, crinoidea, and obscure 
traces of other organic bodies, that flourished in the seas in 
which this rock was deposited. Perhaps the most striking of 




Orthoccras multicameratum. 



these fossils is the above, which is very common. Specimens 
are found of shells of a class analagous, of the enormous length 
of ten feet, and breadth of twelve inches.* Besides the obscure 
fossil whose doubtful nature we have above noticed,! six genera, 
and about a dozen species have been described. 

The Black River limestone, in the classification of Professor 
Hall, and the Isle La Motte marble in that of Professor Emmons 
are interposed between the rock last named and the Trenton 
limestone. It is a well-defined mass of greyish-blue limestone, 
in this county not exceeding ten feet in thickness, but in its 
fossils clearly distinct from the strata above and below it. Five 
genera and six species of corals, and five genera and ten spe- 
cies of cephalopoda, are described in the State Palaeontology, as 
occurring in this rock. The following figures represent a small 
coral, of the natural size and magnified: 




Slidopora labyrinlhica. 

1. Natural size upon a weathered surface. 

2. Vertical section, showing the ascending and anastomosing branches. 

* Report of Professor Emmons on the Geology of the 2d District, p. 382. 
t See Phytopsis cellulosum, p. 534. 





Black River Limestone. 

3. Enlarged branch of No. 1. 

4. Surface apparently unworn, with oblique 
ridges between the rows of cells. 

5. Surface of a branch somewhat worn. 

The delicacy of markings upon the sur- 
faces of some of these corals, when seen 
magnified, is beautiful; and their differences 
afford the ground of classification of fami- 
lies and the generic and specific distinc- 
tions. 










iffl! 
titlf 



la, 



§' 9 





Stidopora ramosa, natural size and enlarged.f 

Another coral is of frequent oc- 
currence in the Black River lime- 
stone, which is here represented 
in the margin. It is sometimes 
seen of the size of half a bushel, and 
in the Mohawk valley much larger. 
It is commonly mistaken by the un- 
observing, for petrified honey comb, 
which in some respects it resembles. 
Columnaria alveolata, a fossil coral. 

It is this formation that contains the caverns of Watertown, 
Pamelia and Brownville, concerning which many fabulous ac- 
counts have been told. We have endeavored to obtain authen- 
tic information on this subject by a personal examination. 

In Pamelia, opposite the village of Watertown, and in the im- 
mediate vicinity of the cascade, is a cavern that has attained 
quite a notoriety, and will amply repay the curious visitor who 
may undertake to explore it. It was discovered in the spring of 
1822, and for a short time was exhibited for pay. The opening 
is in a natural depression, and by a sloping passage leads to a 
chamber about twenty feet below the surface, from which ave- 
nues lead in various directions, frequently communicating with 
each other, and forming a labyrinth of much intricacy. When 



* Haifa Palaeontology of New York, i, 50. t lb. p. 51. 



Caverns in the Black River Limestone. 537 

first observed it was beautifully adorned with curtains and dra- 
pery of lime, deposited from the ceaseless dripping of water 
charged with that mineral. In some of the remote chambers 
and avenues, these deposits, of dazzling whiteness, still exist in 
great profusion, but the wanton depredations of visitors has done 
much towards destroying those that occurred in the more fre- 
quented part of the cavern. In numerous instances, huge tables 
of rock have fallen from the roof, allowing a passage both above 
and below them. The texture of the deposits varies from the 
consistence of mortar to a compactness sufficient to give a ring- 
ing sound when struck with a hammer; but by far the greater 
part is of that soft friable quality of snowy whiteness, which is 
usually denominated agaric mineral. The pendent masses are 
usually flat with their sides waved, and edges serrated, and the 
surface below them is often beautifully formed into basins and 
cells, usually filled with limpid water. Occasionally the masses 
from above, meeting those from below, form pillars of great size. 
Slight dams of tufa are of frequent occurrence, forming shallow 
pools of water, and lime-sediment. Altogether, from its conven- 
ience of access, safety and beauty, this place is well w T orthy of 
attention. Conflicting accounts existing in relation to the ex- 
tent of this cavern, the author, in company with a friend, explored 
it with a view of ascertaining this point, and was only able to 
penetrate about seventy fathoms from the chamber at the foot of 
the outlet. The temperature of the water in June was 43°, and, 
in winter it never freezes. It probably varies but little with 
external changes. 

On the north bank of Black River, opposite Factory Village, 
in Watertown, are several caves of limited extent, which offer 
no calcareous incrustations of interest. The principal of these 
opens at its two ends upon the river bank. They are chiefly 
interesting from the evidence they furnish of having been formed 
by water running along the natural seams in the rocks. 

On the south bank of the river, in Watertown Village, and 
under the termination of Jackson street, is the entrance of a 
cave, which was first explored in the summer of 1838, and is 
said to have been traced nearly 500 feet. It affords calcareous 
concretions, of a peculiar variety, externally resembling pisolite, 
and formed by the agglutination of spheroidal granules of car- 
bonate of lime. It is known as the ice cave, from the occurrence 
of ice in the summer months, which almost obstructs its passa- 
ges. Towards autumn, the rocks above become warmed, and the 
ice melts, nor does the freezing process become established till 
near spring. From the slow transmission of heat, the seasons 
thus become reversed in this cavern. A current of cold air is- 
sues from over this mass of subterranean ice, which, when the 



538 Characteristics of the Inferior Limestones. 

air is warm and damp, becomes a dense fog. When the tem- 
perature in the shade was 92°, that at the mouth of this cave 
has been noticed to be 32°. 

In the town of Watertown, near the bank of the river, and 
about a mile from the village of Brownville, there occurs in a 
wood a sunken place, around and in the vicinity of which are 
numerous avenues, leading under ground, and communicating 
with each other by innumerable passages. Almost every natural 
seam in the rock, has been widened into a space large enough 
to admit of the passage of a man, and sometimes opening into 
wide and lofty halls, of which several are found radiating from 
a central point. The form of these subterranean vaults is that 
of the gothic arch, springing from the floor and forming an 
acute angle above. The extreme distance that this cave can be 
traced, is less than thirty rods. It affords no calcareous deposits 
of interest, and its only peculiarity consists in the numerous 
projecting masses of flint on the walls, which have resisted the 
decomposing action to which the rock has yielded. The floor of 
the cave is generally covered with mud or water. 

On the west bank of Perch river, near the village of Limerick, 
is a cavern which, after passing twenty-four yards, opens into 
an external passage, from whence, descending to a level about 
thirty feet below the surface, it proceeds sixty-three yards fur- 
ther through a passage in some places quite lofty and flat roofed, 
to a low horizontal chamber, beyond which, by creeping, one 
can proceed to a distance of one hundred and fifty-four yards 
from the entrance to the extremity. It differs from all the oth- 
ers above described, in having no lateral passage, nor does it 
afford calcareous deposits. There probably exists other cav- 
erns in the county, but analogy would lead us to the belief that 
they are of limited extent. So far as observed, they agree in 
affording evidence of having been worn by running water in 
early times, and in occurring in the same stratum. The Ormo- 
ceras, Endoceras, and other fossils characteristic of the rock are 
seen exposed in relief on the walls of the caves in many in- 
stances. 

It is to be observed of the strata that intervene between the 
water lime and the Trenton limestone, that from their soluble 
nature the natural seams have generally been widened into open 
chasms, and that from this cause streams of water often find their 
way under ground in dry seasons. Although generally horizon- 
tal, the strata are occasionally disturbed by upheavals, as is seen 
at several places along the line of the railroad between Chan- 
mont and Cape Vincent. These disturbances are generally 
limited to a few rods, and often to a few yards. These rocks 
often afford an excellent building material, and are quarried ex- 



Trenton Limestone. 



539 



tensively at Chaumont for locks and other public works. The 
black marble of Glen's Falls is derived from strata correspond- 
ing with the upper portion of these. 

The next rock above those above described, is named the Tren- 
ton limestone, which mostly constitutes the rock underlying the 
soil in Champion, Rutland, Watertown, Houndsfield, Henderson, 
Ellisburgh, Adams, and a part of Rodman and Brownville. In 
extent, thickness, number of fossil remains and economical im- 
portance, it far surpasses the others. It underlies extensive dis- 
tricts in the western states, where it is recognized by its charac- 
teristic fossils; and as a material for building and the manufac- 
ture of lime, it has few superiors. Its color is usually gray, and 
its fracture more or less crystaline, occurring usually in strata 
nearly or quite horizontal, and often separated by thin layers of 




8, 9a, 95, 10c, 13e, Pleurotomaria 



] 6, Murchisonia gracilis 



of Trenton limestone, 
do 



shale. Many of its fossils are common with the slates above. 
At the time when the first volume of the State Palaeontology was 
issued, there had been described 188 species peculiar to this 
rock; 20, common with this and the Hudson River group (Lor- 
raine Shales); 2 with it and the Utica slate, 6 with it and the 
above two, 3 with it and the Black River limestones, and one 
with all the birdseye to the Hudson River shales inclusive. 

Fossil plants of the lower orders are somewhat common, but 
are limited to a few species. Of corals, the number is greater, 
and of these none are more common than that represented by 
figure 1, of the annexed cut: 



540 



Trenton Limestone. 




1. Cheteles lycoperdon. 

2. Leptana deltoidea. 

3. Isotelas gigas. 
3a. Stidapora acuta. 
3b. The same magnified. 

Fig. 3a represents a leaf-like, 
branching coral, very common. 
The whole number of species 
of zoophytes found in this rock, 
is about 20. Of that singular 
class of animals called trilobi- 
tes, of which there are at present but few living analogies, the Tren- 
ton limestone furnishes several species, of which fig. 3, on this 
page, is one. 

This class of fossil remains is obscure and rare in the rocks 
beneath, but here becomes well developed and affords our most 
reliable criterion by which to identity the Trenton limestone in 
distant localities. This animal possessed the power of coiling 
up into a ball, and of flattening itself out, as shown in the fol- 
lowing cuts, in which 3a, 3&, are coiled specimens, and 9c a 
side view of one that is flat. Detached portions are of frequent 
occurrence; the head, tail, and parts of the body being often 
found separately. 



Trenton Limestone. 541 

The following are figures of the Calymene senaria. 





Of shells, this rock affords a very great 
variety, but our space will only admit of a 
few, the following being selected from the 
engravings prepared for the Natural History 
of the State. From the numbers being en- 
graved on some of the blocks, they can not 
be arranged in numerical order on a page of 
the size of this. These have been fully 
described and classified by the gentlemen 
engaged in the geological survey of the state, 
and by Prof. Hall, to whose department they 
particularly belonged. 

The thickness of this rock can not be less than five hundred 
feet. Its stratification is generally nearly horizontal, and dis- 
turbances when they occur, are usually quite limited. In some 
places it contains veins of calcite, and of heavy spar, the 
latter, in Adams, being associated with fluor spar. This form- 
ation in Lowville and Martinsburgh, Lewis County, contains 
metallic ores, in small quantities in veins, that have a general 
east and west course. The sulphurets of lead, zinc, and iron, 
occur at the lead mines in Martinsburgh, in lamina or layers, 
deposited upon each other, of which the succession, counting 
from the walls of the vein towards the centre, is invariably the 
same. This gives probability to the theory, that these metals 
may have been deposited by electrical currents, as it would be 
difficult on any other supposition, to account for the symmetrical 
recurrence of the layers. Cavities in fossils are not unfrequently 
lined with crystals of calcite, and more rarely with fluor spar 
and tremolite* 



542 



Trenton Limestone. 




1 , 3, 4, Plurolomaria hnticularis. 
5, P. rotuloidcs; base of shell. 

2, 6d, Ge, 14a, 146, 15 species of 
Murchisonia. 

7, 8, V, Bellerophon profundus fEm.) 

10, Lepttrna sericea. 

11, Orthis slriatula. 

12, O. tesludimaria. 



Utica Slate. 



543 



Resting upon the Trenton limestone, with which, in the bed 
of Sandy Creek, in Rodman, it is seen in contact, is a soft black 
slate, readily crumbling to fragments under the action of frost, 
and divided by vertical parallel seams into regular masses. From 
ifs occurrence in the hills north of Utica, it has been called 
Utica slate. It has not been found applicable to any useful 
purpose, although experiments have been made to test its value 
as a lithic paint. Where sulphuret of iron could be procured, 
the manufacture of alum might be attempted with prospect of 
success. 




1, Calymene Beckii. 

3, Orthonota , 

5, Avicula . 



% Modiolopsis anodontoides ? 

4, Nucula ? 

G, Lingula quadrata. 




Fossils are common, but less numerous in this rock than in 

those below it. Sev- 
eral of these are com- 
mon in the rocks 
above and below this. 
The trilobite here 
figured is the only 
one known in this 
slate, but is found 
both above and be- 
low. 

1, Head of Calymene Beckii. 2, Graptohihus, 
pristis. 3, Trocholites ammonius. 

The Graptolithus is numerous both in individuals and species 
in the shales on the Hudson River. Being often compressed, 
their true nature was for some time unknown,* and they were 
classed with plants by some writers. When preserved in cal- 
careous matter, their true nature becomes more apparent, and 
show them to have been animals of the lower orders, with a 
semi-calcareous body and a corticiform covering. In some pla- 
ces, these fossils are replaced by iron pyrites, that in fresh speci- 
mens possesses a bright metallic lusture, but which soon tarnish 
and crumble by exposure. Sulphur springs are of frequent oc- 



* Palaeontology of New York, i,, 205, 



544 



Lorraine Shales. 



currence in this rock, and native sulphur is sometimes noticed 
encrusting the surfaces in ravines, where waters charged with 
sulphureted hydrogen have been exposed to vegetable action. 
Covering this formation, and constituting the superficial rock 
of Lorraine, Worth, and part of Rodman, is a series consisting of 
alternating layers of shale and slate, some of which are highly 






1, Trinucleus concentricus. 
3, Leptana ddtoidea. 



2, Lepttpna alternata. 
4, Modiolopsis modiolaris. 



fossil iferous, and others entirely destitute of organic remains. 
Those that serve to distinguish it from the formations beneath 

are the annexed, which are rea- 
dily recognized, and almost al- 
ways present. From the re- 
markable development of this 
rock in Lorraine, it has received 
the name of Lorraine Shales. 
For a similar reason it is known 
elsewhere as the Hudson River 
group, from its forming the 
highly inclined shales that occur, 
of enormous thickness, in the 
valley of the Hudson. This rock 
is nearly worthless for any use- 
ful purpose, although at Pulaski 
and elsewhere, layers are found 
that are adapted for building. 
The mineral springs of Saratoga 
arise from this rock. Having thus briefly enumerated the lead- 
ing geological features of the county, some generalizations of 
the several rocky formations may be made. 




], Ambonychia radiata. 

% Joint of the Glyplocrinus de- 
cadadylus, a critioidean tonsil very 
common. 

3 , Cyrtolites onialus. 



Lorraine Shales. — General Observations. 545 

To one accustomed to close and careful observation, the fea- 
tures of a country and the contour of its hills, afford a reliable 
means of opinion on the character of the subjacent rock. There 
pertains to each of these in this county a peculiarity of profile, 
when exposed in the brow of hills, that is as constant and as 
unmistakeable as any class of phenomena offered to the observa- 
tion of geologists ; and these distinctive features arise from the 
greater or less facility with which the several rocks yield to dis- 
integrating forces. The shales and slates being easily decom- 
posed, and offering little resistance to the action of running 
water, present a rounded outline; running streams have here 
worn deep, winding gulphs, through which the channels mean- 
der, washing alternately the right bank and the left, affording a 
succession of crumbling precipices, often of romantic beauty, and 
spreading over the plains, where they issue from the hills, the 
broken materials brought down from the ravines. The rock is 
every where covered with soil, derived from its own disintegra- 
tion, and is inclined to clay, from which cause, when level, there 
is a tendency to the formation of swamps, from the impermeable 
character of this material. The soil is generally fertile, and es- 
pecially adapted to grazing. Wherever diluvial action has ex- 
isted, it has worn, with little difficulty, broad valleys, and re- 
moved immense quantities of the detritus to other places. 

These shales form a ridge of highlands, extending from this 
county, through Oswego, Lewis, Oneida, and Herkimer counties, 
being known, in Lewis, as Tug Hill. The margin of this ele- 
vated tract is worn into deep ravines, but when the head of these 
is reached, the country becomes level, and sometimes swampy, 
with frequent beaver meadows. The streams are sluggish and 
miry, and the water highly discolored, probably from the pre- 
sence of the black oxyde of manganese, that is of frequent occur- 
rence in the swamps, and is found coating the bowlders, exposed 
to running water. The junction between the Utica slate and 
Trenton limestone, is generally concealed by deep deposits, 
brought down from the upper formation. 

The change, where observed in the bed of Sandy Creek, is 
well defined, there being no blending of the two rocks. Along 
the base of the slate is usually a strip of clay, a few rods in 
width, but continuing for considerable distances. The thickness 
of these shales in the ridge of highlands extending towards 
Utica, can not be less than five hundred feet. Local disturbances 
are but seldom seen, and the stratification is usually horizontal. 
Pebbles from the lower rocks are occasionally noticed, and ob- 
scure traces of organic remains, that have not been described. 

The limestone occurs in terraces, with steep, but not precipitous 
margins, the whole of which is covered with a soil, derived from 



546 



General Observations. 



its own decomposition, where not protected by drift. The soil 
is inclined to be thin, and consequently liable to be affected with 
drouth, but is extremely fertile, and alike adapted to grass and 
grain. The richest and best portions of Jefferson county, if not 
in the state, are underlaid by this rock. Running streams, when 
small, do not wear ravines, but fall down the slope of the terra- 
ces, in pretty cascades, broken into foam, and noisy from the 
numerous points of resistance which they meet. 




= — : -=- canton ■ 



Burrviile Cascades. 



The Burrviile Cascades have been noticed on page 240, and 
are among the most romantic and pleasing which the country af- 
fords. Streams, if large, and especially if liable to be swollen 
into impetuous torrents, wear gulphs of short extent into the 
plains from which they flow, and where these rocks form the bed 
of streams, the latter have worn channels of sufficient depth to 
contain the ordinary volume of the stream only; where the sur- 
face has been protected by a drift deposit, but not often else- 
where, it presents the marks of attrition of the drift period; 
springs are of frequent occurrence, oftener near the foot of the 
terraces, and the water is limpid, but unfit for washing, from be- 
ing charged with lime. 

The calciferous sandstone presents a flat country, with few 
valleys, and those but a few feet below the level of the adjacent 



General Observations. 547 

plains. The rock is covered with a very thin soil, derived from 
its own decomposition, but one of much richness, from the pres- 
ence of lime. It seldom descends by a gentle slope into the val- 
.eys, but presents a shelving ledge, very peculiar to this rock, in 
this tection of the state. Swamps, when they occur, are bordered 
with this sharp margin of rock, and have a deep soil, as if they 
had anciently been lakes. When springs exist, they are com- 
monly hard irom the lime which the rock contains. 

The Potsdam sandstone generally presents a level surface, but 
more liable to upheavals, and is covered with soil entirely brought 
from other formations, and varies in quality with sources from 
which it has been derived. Where not covered with drift, as 
occurs near Plessis, it is a barren rock, which, although exposed 
from time immemorial to the action of the elements, still pre- 
serves the traces of diluvial abrasion. This rock never presents 
a fertile slope into the valleys, but is bordered with abrupt pre- 
cipices, at the foot of which are piled huge masses, that have 
tumbled from the face of the ledge. 

The primitive rocks of the county present a constant succession 
of abrupt rounded ridges, scantily covered in the state of nature 
with timber, and, when cleared, with a thin soil, with intervening 
valleys of considerable fertility, that have received their soil from 
the wash of the hills. The nature and amount of soil varies 
with the rock, and is abundant and fertile, where limestone and 
feldspar abound, as its constituents, but much less so, where the 
chief element is quartz. It was observed by Mr. Wright, when 
surveying the townships of St. Lawrence County, and the same 
fact is observable to some extent in this, where from its less ex- 
tent, but few opportunities are afforded for observing it, that the 
south slope of the hills is more abrupt than the north, as if they 
had been more upheaved. The prevailing dip of the strata of 
gneiss is towards the north or north west, where observed in 
this county. 

Drift deposits occur promiscuously over rocks of every age, 
covering them unequally with transported materials, and when 
occurring in hills, presenting that rounded and conical outline 
often seen in snow drifts. Having been deposited in moving 
water, wherever a sheltered point or conflicting currents favored, 
they were subject to all the dynamic laws which modify the motions 
of solids moving in fluids. These deposits may be distinguished 
from soil underlaid by rock, by the endless variety of rounded 
outline which they present, and are invariably covered with 
vegetation. 

About a third of the county, in its central part, lies in the valley 
of Black River, the remainder being drained by Sandy Creek, In- 
dian River, and the minor streams running into the lake and 



548 Black River. 

St. Lawrence. E. H. Brodhead* estimated its volume at low 
water, at 94.000 cubic feet per minute; that of the Oswegatchie 
being 20,000, and of Indian River 3,000.f The river descends 
480 feet between Carthage and the lake, giving a power equal 
to 135,360 horses, working eight hours a day. In this distance, 
at the present time, the water passes over thirteen dams, at none 
of which the entire amount of water is used; and at most of 
them but a very small portion is employed. Although Indian 
River, and several of its tributaries, and the two branches of 
Sandy Creek, and other streams of less note, afford at many 
points eligible sites for hydraulic purposes, yet their aggregate 
is far below that afforded by Black River, which, at a future time, 
will doubtless be improved to an extent infinitely surpassing the 
most sanguine anticipations of the present age. This river has 
proved somewhat subject to floods, which requires the exercise 
of care in locating buildings upon its banks; but from its bed 
being generally rock, ample means are available for the security 
of dams which have been seldom or never swept off. 

From the extent and number of the lakes that exist near the 
sources of this river, and its tributaries, in the primary region of 
Lewis and Herkimer counties, no apprehension need be felt that 
the opposite extreme of drouth will necessarily occur in future, 
for, by constructing dams and sluices at the outlets of these lakes, 
they may be cheaply converted into immense reservoirs to retain 
the spring floods resulting from the melting of winter snows, and 
equalize the discharge through the dry season; thus serving the 
double purpose of preventing excessive freshets, or extreme 
drouth. 

The greatest freshet known, occurred in the spring of 1807, 
from the melting of spring snows. In 1818, in May, 1833, in 
1839, 1841, and 1843, were heavy spring floods. 

Lake Ontario has many features in its geology of engaging 
interest. Its length is 172 miles, and greatest breadth 59| miles. 
According to the chart of Captain A. Ford, U. S. N., its greatest 
depth is 95 fathoms, and its elevation above tide being but 
234 feet,J it would still be a lake, if the outlet was deepened 
so as to allow the tide to flow up to it. The east end of the lake 
is, to some extent, bordered by low sand hills, behind which, are 
marshes; the south shore is moderately elevated, the north and 
north-west more elevated, and much of the way rocky. Its wa- 
ters are subject to changes of level, that occupy several years, but 
appear to be governed by no other causes than the unequal sup- 
ply from tributaries. Low water is said to have occurred in 

* Report of Black River Canal extension, Assem. Doc, 1840, No. 233, p. 
36, 40. tlb. p. 36. 

% On Burr's State Map, the height of the lake is stated to be 234 feet; the 
Canadian rail road surveys give 238i feet. 



Lake Ridges. 549 

1803, 1804, 1808 to 1811; 1822 to 1828; 1844 to 1850. High 
water is mentioned in 1798, 1805 to 1807; 1812 to 1819; 1829 
to 1831; 1837 to 1S39; 1852, 1S53. Middling height in 1820, 
1821, 1832 to 1836; 1840, 1841, 1851. The change of level 
is about five feet. 

Charlevoix, in 1721, noticed a periodical flux and reflux of 
the lake, recurring at intervals of a few minutes, and by him 
ascribed to springs at the bottom of the lake, and the shock of 
rivers discharging into it. This flow is probably caused by the 
prevalence of distant winds, that at times create a swell at one 
end of the lake when it is calm at the other. It is further noticed, 
that long prevailing gales from the west, from the friction upon 
the surface, cause the waters to rise several feet at the east end. 
It was from a similar cause, that a serious inundation occurred 
on Lake Erie, at Buffalo, in the fall of 1844. 

Water spouts have been often seen on the lake, usually in the 
summer or fall, and in showery fickle weather. They are ac- 
companied by black clouds and a roaring sound. When they 
strike the land, they prove to be tornadoes, tearing up the trees 
and strewing their track with ruin. 

The mirage is a phenomenon, frequent in bright, sunny weather 
in summer and fall, elevating distant objects by refraction, and 
bringing them nearer. Some remarkable instances have been 
noticed. The most common form of this illusion, consists in 
raising distant objects a little into the air, the sky seeming to 
extend under them. 

That the lake once flowed over a large portion of the county, 
at a very recent geological period, is proved by the elevated lake 
ridges, which extend from Oswego County, through Ellisburgh, 
Adams, Watertown, and Rutland. Mr. William Dewey, in sur- 
veying the rail road route, in 1836, thus mentions them: "We 
found the summit of the highest ridge to be about 400 feet [more 
exactly 390 feel] above Lake Ontario.* Its formation offers a 
curious subject for geological investigation. It is remarkably 
uniform, and is supposed, in past ages, to have constituted the 
shores of some great inland sea, whose surface lay far above those 
mighty forests and fertile plains that now form some of the rich- 
est portions of our state. Frequently, three or four successive 
ridges are plainly developed, varying in level from fifteen to twenty 
feet. * * * In the course of our explorations, from possess- 
ing a knowledge of their elevation, these ridges were a sure 
guide to determine the relative heights of different points that 
occurred on the route. A more beautiful site for the location of 

* The author is indebted to C. V. R. Horton, of Chaumonl, for these 
inquiries. 

35 



550 Lake Ridges. — Queries. 

a rail road could not be desired, than the summit of these ridges, 
were not the uniformity of their course frequently broken by 
sharp angles, and interrupted at intervals by deep gullies, caused 
by the action of small streams carrying away the very light ma- 
terial of which they are composed. The slope from the ridges, 
in many places, is regular and gradual, until the elevation is re- 
duced to 300 feet above the lake, when it becomes broken and 
unsuitable for our purpose. This ridge, we found to extend on 
the line of our survey about thirty miles from the point where 
we were first enabled to avail ourselves of its advantage." 

Along the brow of the first hill, in going east from Watertown, 
this ridge is cut through in making the plank road, and the 
beach, with its piles of bowlders below it, may be traced each 
way from this place very easily. Along the side of the slope 
of limestone rock, which approaches Black River, below the 
village of Lockport, may be seen, plainly marked, the traces of 
an ancient beach, at two or three different levels. The lime- 
stone must here have formed a bold shore to the lake. 

A curious occurrence of red cedar timber on a small hill in 
Pamelia, about three miles north of Watertown, was mentioned 
to the author by Mr. John Felt, who ingeniously suggested 
that, as the margin of the hill was a bed of smooth gravel, and 
as this timber occurs on islands in the lake, and almost nowhere 
else in the country, that this spot might then have been an island. 

Endless speculations might be made on the extent of this form- 
er lake, and the causes that have wrought the change. The 
subject is too extended for our discussion; but the following ques- 
tions at once arise, and would need to be first settled. Rome is 
on a summit, from whence the waters flow by Wood Creek and the 
Mohawk, in opposite directions. It is but thirty-two feet higher 
than Watertown. The lake ridges are 232 feet above Water- 
town. Queries. Did the lake then flow through the Mohawk 
Valley? Did it then cover the country down to the Noses, on 
the Mohawk, and the highlands of Quebec? 

Earthquakes have several times occurred in this section of the 
country. One is recorded in Canada, February 5, 1663, and is 
related as most terrific and awful. The ice in the St. Lawrence 
was broken up, the earth was violently shaken, houses thrown 
down, and such was the tumult of the elements, that many be- 
lieved that the end of the world was coming. Several times, 
since the settlement of the country, slight shocks have been felt. 
On the 12th of March, 1853, at 2 o'clock a. m., a shock occurred 
that was felt in Lewis and parts of Jefferson Counties. It com- 
menced with a rumbling sound that lasted about a minute and a 
half, and was attended with a deep rolling thunder. It is credi- 
bly related that, in Champion, the snow, then covered by a strong 
crust, was found broken into fissures by the movement. 



Valleys. — Drift Agencies. 55 1 

Several remarkable valleys occur in the county, that must be 
attributed to causes that have long since ceased to operate. That 
of Rutland Hollow, parallel with Black River, has been no- 
ticed.* It is continued across the towns of Walertown, Hounds- 
field and Henderson, by way of Smilhville, to the lake, having 
both of its sides composed of Trenton limestone. It is probable 
that it was formed by the same agencies that have removed the 
Trenton from over the lower limestones, north of Black River; 
transported vast quantities of loose materials from the distant 
primary regions, and deposited them as bowlders, gravel, hard- 
pan, sand and clays, promiscuously over the other formations. 
The surface rock, where of sufficient hardness to resist decay, 
or where protected by superficial deposits, often presents a po- 
lished and grooved appearance, and at no locality is this more 
wonderfully shown, than at the rail road bridge, below Water- 
town Village. The grooves are here widened and deepened into 
troughs, that obliquely cross the bed of the river, having their 
surfaces polished and scratched, showing that the rock was then 
as firm and unyielding as now. These furrows are from one to 
three feet deep, and from five to ten feet wide. 

Mineral Localities. 

Anthracite has been observed in minute quantities, glazing 
the surface and lining the cavities of fossils in the Trenton lime- 
stone at Watertovvn. In minute quantites and thin seams it has 
also been noticed in Utica slate, in the south-western border of 
the county. 

Apatite (phosphate of lime) is rarely found in small crystals 
near Ox Bow, in white limestone, wilh pargasite, &c. On But- 
terfield Lake it occurs massive. It is also found near Grass 
Lake, in Theresa. A most remarkable locality of this mineral 
occurs in Rossie, near this lake. When in quantity, it is prized 
as a fertilizing agent, being in chemical composition analagous 
to burnt bones. It is also used in assaying gold and silver. 

Azurite (blue carb. copper) occurs with the green carbonate 
(coating copper pyrites and staining other minerals) on an 
island in Muscalunge Lake, Theresa. 

Calcite( carbonate of lime), besides forming a principal constit- 
uent of white and secondary limestone, occurs often crystalized 
in groups of great beauty, at Ox Bow, and on the banks of 
Vrooman Lake. Huge crystals, some nearly transparent and 
tinged of a delicate pink, were found on the farm of Mr. Benton, 
many years since, and the locality here still affords many inte- 
resting forms. This mineral, crystalized, is common throughout 
the district of the white limestone, usually occupying cavities 
in the rock; and it has been observed that those of the same 
locality, present striking points of resemblance in modification. 

* See a notice of this valley on page 240. 



552 Mineral Localities. 

Veins of white spar are common in fossil iferous limestones, and 
the cavities of fossils are very often lined with crystals. It occurs 
also in minute veins in shale. Tufa is found in a few limestone 
springs, and agaric mineral abounds in the caves in Pamelia, 
opposite Watertown. Marl occurs in Pleasant Lake, Champion. 
Satin spar occurs near Ox Bow, not far from Pulpit Rock. 

Celestine (sulphate of strontia) is said to occur in Trenton 
limestone, in disseminated nodules. The quantity must be small, 
and its existence is somewhat uncertain. 

Chalcodite. Under this name has been described, by Professor 
C. U. Shepard, of New Haven,* a mineral which had previously 
been considered cacoxene.f It occurs in minu.e globular and 
stellar groups, on surfaces of specular iron ore, of a yellow color, 
fibrous texture, and so slightly coherent as to be easily broken by 
contact with a solid body. Surfaces covered with this mineral 
are frequently obtained at the Sterling iron mine, in Antwerp, 
at which locality alone, in this section of the state, it has been 
found. It is interesting for its rarity more than its splendor. 
Sometimes it occurs of a delicate green and brown color. 

Chondrodite has been observed in small quantities, with spi- 
nel, in Antwerp. 

Chlorite has been detected in bowlders, but is not common. 

Copper pyrites has been found at several localities in Ant- 
werp, adjacent to Vrooman Lake, and near the Ox Bow, and 
also about three miles from Natural Bridge, in Wilna, w T here it 
was wrought to some extent, late in the tall of 1847, by a Bos- 
ton company. It was examined chemically by Professor C. T. 
Jackson, of Boston, and is said to have yielded a small per cent- 
age of tin. Besides this, it was mixed with iron pyrites to a 
considerable extent. This mineral has not hitherto been found 
in sufficient quantities to pay the cost of mining in this section 
of the state. 

Dolomite occurs often disseminated in white limestone, where, 
from its ability to resist solution, it remains in relief upon the 
weathered surface, in prominent masses. Pearl spar is found at 
Ox Bow, coating crystals of calcite. Ankerite has been attrib- 
uted to the iron mines of this county, but we have never been 
able to distinguish it from spathic iron. 

Epidote, in granular masses, disseminated in bowlders of green 
stone, is of frequent occurrence. It has not been found in situ 
in the county. 

Feldspar (orthoclase), besides forming a common ingredient 
in gneiss, often occurs, highly crystalized, in Antwerp, and The- 

* Proceedings of American Association. Albany, 1851, p. 232. 
t N. Y. Geological Kep., 1840, p. 110. Dr. J3eck : s Min. Rep., p. 402. 
Dana's Mineralogy, 3d ed.,p. 232, £c. 



Mineral Localities. 553 

rcsa, near Grass Lake, &c. Porphyry occurs in bowlders and 
trap, and greenstone both in bowlders and dikes. The latter 
occur with peculiar interest and variety in Antwerp, between 
Vrooman and Muscalunge lakes. Dikes, of great width, are ob- 
served in the neighboring town of Rossie. 

Fluor Spar. The most remarkable locality of this mineral in 
the state was discovered about fifteen years since, on the east 
bank of Muscalunge Lake, in Theresa, in a vein of considerable 
"width, with calcite, and heavy spar. Cubic crystals, a foot in di- 
ameter, quite transparent and yielding by cleavage an octahedron, 
were procured here. The larger specimens were commonly 
rough externally, but the smaller ones were smooth and transpa- 
rent, and groups of these crystals of great beauty and interest 
were procured. The locality was purchased with the view of 
working it as a flux, but nothing was done in this line, and good 
specimens can now only be procured with much labor, expense and 
danger. The color of the mineral here was generally pale green 
and sometimes deep green. With heavy spar, in Adams, green 
crystals occur of small size, and it is more abundantly diffused in a 
massive state. Rarely, cavities in fossils in the Trenton limestone, 
are lined with small crystals of this mineral. 

Garnet is common in bowlders, but does not here occur else- 
where. 

Graphite (black lead) occurs in minute scales, to a small ex- 
tent, in the white limestone of Antwerp. 

Heavy spar (sulphate of barytes). One of the most interest- 
ing localities of this mineral in the state, occurs on Pillar Point, 
in Brownville, on the shore facing Chauraont Bay and Cherry 
Island. It occupies a vein in Trenton limestone, from one to 
two feet thick, and is chiefly interesting for the delic*ate alterna- 
tions of color, in zones and bands, which become apparent upon 
the polished surface. It has been wrought to a considerable 
extent as a material for lithic paint, but has lately been purchased 
from its supposed importance in indicating the existence of 
metallic ores, although none have hitherto been observed in its 
vicinity. 

In Antwerp, about a mile east from the Ox Bow, on the farm of 
Robert Dean, occurs an interesting locality of this mineral, in a 
cavity or vein of white limestone. From the great abundance 
of vermicular cavities and pores, it is very light, and the cavi- 
ties often present globular surfaces, studded with crystals. From 
the presence of iron, the mineral is much stained with the yellow 
oxyde of that metal; but where it has not been exposed to the 
weather, it is sometimes white. No metallic associates have been 
noticed here. 

In the town of Theresa, an interesting locality of highly 



554 Mineral Localitiss. 

crystaline heavy spar, which has been suspected to contain stron- 
tia, occurs. Beautiful specimens have been obtained here. 
The banks of Muskelunge Lake afford small but elegant crystals. 
In Adams, near the north border, and about two miles north-west 
from Adams Centre depot, on the farms of Calvin Warrener, H. 
Colton and others, is a very remarkable locality of this mineral. 
A ragged and very irregular vein has here been traced more 
than a mile, nearly east and west, in a hill of Trenton limestone, 
that rises on three sides to a commanding height, and overlooks 
the country north and west to a great distance. About eight 
years since, it came to the notice of a paint manufacturing com- 
pany in Brownville, and about fifty tons have been removed for 
that purpose, on a. ten years lease, giving fifty cents per perch, 
tribute. A perch weighs two tons, and when prepared, makes 
2,500 pounds of paint. The mineral in Adams is much mingled 
with the limestone, through which it sends thin veins, and de- 
tached masses of the latter frequently occur imbedded. Its struc- 
ture is compact, color white or flesh colored, and inclined to as- 
sume the peculiar waved and contorted appearance, common at 
the Pillar Point locality. Cavities are of frequent occurrence, 
which are usually lined with faces of minute bladed crystals, and 
it is associated sparingly with calcite, but more commonly with 
fluorspar disseminated through it, and often crystalized. Heavy 
spar has been extensively used at Brownville, to adulterate white 
lead. It is prepared by crushing, washing, steaming in zinc 
vats with sulphuric acid, again washing, and grinding in a stone 
mill in water, till it can be strained through a fine bolting cloth, 
when it is dried and ground in oil with white lead. This manu- 
facture has been abandoned, and will not probably be resumed. 

Hornblende. Besides being a common constituent of gneiss, nu- 
merous varieties of this rock occur in bowlders and rocky strata, 
among which are the following: Jlmphibole (basaltic horn- 
blende) is found in bowlders in crystals, firmly imbedded in trap 
and green stone. Tremolite is found in bowlders of white lime- 
stone, and, occasionally, in small quantities in Antwerp and in 
Wilna, near Natural Bridge. Diallage is rarely found in bowl- 
ders of chloritic slate. Pargasite, in beautiful green crystals, 
occurs in white limestone at numerous localities near Ox Bow, 
and in a neighborhood known as New Connecticut, in Antwerp, 
near the Ox Bow. It is commonly found with apatite, crystal- 
ized feldspar and sphene. The crystals are small, but usually 
well defined, and sometimes occur in radiating clusters. Jlmi- 
anthus and Asbeslus are found in minute quantities in bowlders 
of serpentine. The latter also occurs half a mile from Theresa 
Village. Besides these varieties, hornblende is found in bowlders, 
coarsely crystaline, slaty, and compact, and of the latter a vari- 



Mineral Localities. 555 

ety containing grains of garnet is extremely tough. This min- 
eral does not of itself occur in rocky masses in our county, 
and the source from whence these bowlders are derived must be 
distant. 

Idocrase, in small brown crystals, occurs occasionally on the 
banks of Yrooman Lake, near Ox Bow. It has been found in 
larger crystals, in bowlders, in Antwerp. 

Iron Pyrites (sulphuret of iron) occurs in the iron mines 
of Antwerp, in Wilna, Theresa, Alexandria, and more rarely 
in thin veins and grains in Trenton limestone. Its most inter- 
esting form is seen in Utica slate, where it is found replacing 
the substance of organic remains, which, when first removed, 
possess the lustre and color of brass, but soon decompose in 
the air. From the character of our geology, this mineral can 
scarcely be expected to occur in profitable quantities for the 
manufacture of copperas, alum or soda ash, in the county. 
From its golden splendor, it has often been mistaken for that 
metal. It has been found in veins of spar, in Trenton limestone, 
in nodules with a radiating fibrous texture. This is the mundic 
of Cornish miners. 

Labradorite (opalescent feldspar) is occasionally found in 
bowlders, but less commonly than in St. Lawrence county. 

Limonite. Bog iron ores are common in swamps in Wilna, 
and adjacent to the river above, where they have been exten- 
sively used in making iron. They occur in the form of an 
earthy loam, coarse granules, and solid masses, the latter often 
containing the forms of roots and leaves, which have had their 
substance replaced by this ore. In some instances, this ore will 
become replaced, when exhausted, by a fresh deposit from 
springs. Ochre occurs in Champion and other towns, in small 
quantities. 

4 Magnetite. Magnetic iron ore, in crystaline blades, dissemi- 
nated in gneiss, has been observed in the town of Alexandria, 
in sufficient abundance to lead to the belief that it might be 
wrought with profit. It is a common ingredient in that rock, 
and its disintegration affords the black magnetic writing sand, 
frequently met with on the banks of rivers and lakes. When 
abundant, this is one of the most valuable ores of iron. The 
primative region of Alexandria and Wilna may perhaps be 
found to contain it in profitable quantities. 

Malachite (green carbonate of copper) is found in small quan- 
tities, investing ether minerals, at Muscalunge Lake, Theresa. 

Millerite (sulphuret of nickel) was first noticed by the author 
[American Journal of Science, 2d series, vol. ix., 287], in 1848, 
at the Sterling iron mine, in Antwerp, occurring in delicate 
needle-shaped prisms, in cavities of iron ore, associated with 



556 Mineral Localities. 

spathic iron, chalcodite, and iron pyrites. This delicate and 
very rare mineral is crystalized in hexagonal prisms, the largest 
of which are one sixtieth of an inch in diameter, and about half 
an inch long, usually radiating from a central point in tufts, like 
the down of the thistle, and it has the color and splendor of 
gold. Sometimes both ends are attached, but more commonly 
one end is free, and by successive diminutions, becomes ex- 
cessively attenuated and very flexible. 

Muscovite (mica) occurs rarely in bowlders of granite. 

JVopthia? While excavating the wheel pits of the Jefferson 
cotton mills at Watertown, the limestone was found in one place 
to contain in a cavity about a gill of a yellowish oily fluid, which 
emitted a strong bituminous odor, and burned freely. Other in- 
stances have been mentioned, but on uncertain authority, and in 
no case has an opportunity occurred of applying decisive tests. 

Phlogopite. This mica occurs frequently in the white lime- 
stone, but not in sufficient quantity or in plates of a size that 
give it interest or value. It is found on an island in Mill Seat 
Lake, in small quantities and at a few localities near Ox Bow. 
At Vrooman Lake a highly crystalized variety occurs, in which 
sharply defined prisms and groups of crystals are found in great 
abundance. When these crystals are cleaved, the plates pre- 
sent, by transmitted light, a dove brown color, but they are sel- 
dom found transparent, of any considerable size. By some 
strange accident, the town of Henderson has been often quoted 
as a locality of mica. None can occur here, as it is entirely un- 
derlaid by Trenton limestone. The white limestone is seldom 
found in quantity without containing this mineral. 
^Pyroxene, is common in our primitive rocks. On Grass lake, 
in Theresa it is found white and crystalized, in groups. Near 
Ox Bow, it has been found in small quantities and near Natural 
Bridge, in large black crystals, with sphene &c., Coccolite oc- 
curs in the same vicinity imbedded in Wollastonite, and rarely in 
bowlders. 

Quartz. This abundant mineral, besides forming the greatest 
proportion of primary rock, and almost the sole material of sand- 
stone, is rarely found crystalized. On Butterfield lake, and at 
several localities in Antwerp, it is found in crystals. At Natural 
Bridge, chalcedony, occurs in nodules in white limestone. Flint 
is a common associate of the Black River limestone. Agate in 
small quantities is found in Wilna, near Natural Bridge. Jasper 
and basanite, are very rarely found as pebbles in the drift form- 
ations. 

Scapnlite is rarely found in detached crystals, imbedded in 
white limestone, in Antwerp. Adjacent to, and perhaps within, 
the town of Wilna, near Natural Bridge, the variety Nuttallite, 



Mineral Localities. 557 

in fused crystals of a pearly gray color, occurs with pyroxene and 
sphene. It is sometimes massive, and admits of cleavage. A 
mineral named terenite, by Professor Emmons,* and by him at- 
tributed to Antwerp, is since considered but a variety of scapolite. 
We are not aware as it has been found by any one but himself. 
It was said to be associated with calcite and toliated graphite, in 
a vein of white limestone. 

Serpentine is of frequent occurrence in nodules, in white lime- 
stone, in Antwerp, but it is far less abundant than in St. Law- 
rence County. It is various shades of green, and its weathered 
surface becomes white. It has not hitherto been found in this 
county of sufficient quantity and quality to be of economical 
value, and it is chiefly interesting from thecrystaline form which 
it sometimes assumes. It is said to thus occurf two miles south- 
west of Ox Bow, but we have not been able to learn the precise 
locality. A mineral allied to this, and named by Professor Em- 
mons Rensselaerite,\ but by later authors considered steatitic 
pseudomorph, occurs in great abundance in Antwerp and The- 
resa, where it assumes colors varying from white, through gray, 
to black, and a texture from finely granular to coarsely crystal- 
ine and cleavable. It has been made into inkstands and other 
ornaments, and from the ease with which it may be wrought, and 
the facility with which it receives a polish, it has been thought 
that it would prove available as an ornamental marble. An ex- 
tensive locality of the jet black and fine-grained variety, occurs 
on Butterfield lake, and a company was a few years since about 
to be formed for working it, but the projector having been acci- 
dentally drowned, nothing further was done. It is doubtful 
whether, from its softness, this mineral could be turned to a val- 
uable account as a marble. It is seldom that there occurs so 
wide a range of color and texture as in this mineral. It some- 
times is crystal ized in forms imitative of scapolite, serpentine, 
&c.§ It was denominated by Professor Beck steatitic pyroxene, 
from its hardness being like one, and its cleavage and crystaliza- 
tion like the other. 

Specular Iron. — The red oxyde of iron constitutes the princi- 
pal ore of this metal in Antwerp, Philadelphia and Theresa, 
and may be said to be the principal ore of northern New York. 
In geological situation it is intermediate between the primary 
and Potsdam sandstone, wherever noticed in the county, and is 
invariably associated with a brittle, variegated mineral, which 
has been named dysyntrtUte,** but which recent analysesff indi- 

* Assembly Doc, 1837, No. 161, ** Report of the American Asso- 

p. 154. ciation for the Advancement of Sci- 

t Beck's Mineralogy of N. Y., p. 274. enre, vol. iv, p. 3L1. 

t Assem. 1837, No. 161, p. 154. ft American Journal of Science, 

$ Beck's Mm. N. Y., 277, p. 297. 2d ser., xvi, p. 50. 



558 Mineral Localities. 

cate to be a rock of indefinite composition, closely related to 
agalmatolite, and varying much in its proportions of alumina, 
magnesia, lime, and the alkalies. In the geological report of 
Professor Emmons,* it is named serpentine. It has usually 
seams, which, when fractured, present a smooth, glazed and 
striated surface, as is often seen in coal shales, as if the mass had 
been slipped under heavy pressure. In some form or other, this 
mineral is associated with the ore in every locality where the lat- 
ter has been noticed in this county, St. Lawrence and Lewis, as if 
it were a necessary associate, and sometimes in such quantities, as 
to displace the ore, to theserious loss of the miners who have to re- 
move large masses of it. Besides this nondescript mineral, specular 
ore is associated with calcite, spathic iron, chalcodite, quartz, 
Millerite, and, more rarely, heavy spar. In richness, it varies 
from ten to fifty per cent, in the large way, and it is seldom 
found to work well in' the furnace, requiring a mixture of bog 
ores or limestone, or of ores of different quality, to reduce with 
the greatest advantage. At each mine, there is a peculiarity of 
structure and association that enables one accustomed to ores to 
distinguish them from the others, with facility. In Theresa, this 
ore was procured during the working of the furnace near Red- 
wood in considerable quantity. It has been found on an island 
in Muskelunge lake with heavy spar and green and blue mala- 
chite but too much mingled with iron pyrites to be useful. 

In the edge of Philadelphia, adjoining Theresa, and on farms 
owned by Loren Fuller and Abial Shurtliff, there occurs a body 
of specular iron ore between the gneiss anil Potsdam sandstone, 
which has been used to the extent of several hundred tons at 
Carthage, Antwerp, Redwood and Sterlingville. When wrought 
alone, it makes an iron known to founders as cold short, and 
from its mixture with lime, is found to be very useful as a flux 
in assisting in the reduction of other ores. It occurs of a reddish 
brown color and shaly texture and is associated with calcite in 
botryoidal concretions, rarely with crystals of sulphate of barytes 
and abundantly with the serpentine looking mineral. These 
mines have been traced a considerable distance but have been 
only partially wrought, the first operations having commenced 
about 1838. A tribute of 50 cents per ton is paid for the privi- 
lege of working these mines and the ores are drawn to Sterling- 
ville, 7 miles, for an average price of 75 cents, to Carthage, 17 
miles, for $2, and to Antwerp, 10 miles, for $1 per ton. It is 
now pricipally used as a flux to the ore of the Sterling mine. 

The mines which have been wrought with most profit in 
northern New York, are, the Kearney mine in the extreme south- 
west corner of Gouverneur, and the mines of George Parish adja- 

* Geology, 2d District, p. 376, fc. 



Mineral Localities. 559 

cent, in Rossie.* In this same range, about a mile distant and 
quarter of a mile from the county line, in Antwerp, and but a 
short distance from the line of the Potsdam and Watertown 
Rail Road, there was discovered in 1837, a deposit of iron ore, 
which has been wrought by Mr. Parish with much profit. It is the 
only mine of the specular ore in northern New York in which the 
excavations have been continued beyond the light of day, ren- 
dering lamps necessary. As the ore descends obliquely, the 
overhanging masses of rock are supported by huge masses of ore 
left as pillars at suitable intervals. The mine has been drained 
by an adit, and the thickness of the stratum at right angles to iis 
plane varies from six to thirty feet. Several attempts have been 
made to reach the ore by sinking shafts, but hitherto without 
success, and it is now raised by being drawn up an inclined 
plain by a rude horse power. No minerals of interest have 
hitherto been found at this iron mine. The ore has proved of an 
excellent .quality, and has been exclusively used at the Rossie 
Iron Works. The sandstone here presents a breccia ted appear- 
ance, which the author has no where else observed, and is con- 
siderably stained with iron. Adjacent to, and forming a part of 
this, is the Thompson mine, on the farm of Hiram Keene, where 
ore was observed before it had been detected on the adjoining 
premises. Not being covered by a mineral reserve, this mine 
became the property of Mr. Keene who sold his right to other 
parties, and it subsequently became a subject of litigation in the 
county courts under the belief that it was worthless. 

In 1849 about 1000 tons had been taken from it. The mine 
dips at an angle of about 45 Q below the sandstone. The ore is 
of a good quality and has been worked both in furnaces and for- 
ges. The most extensive iron mine now worked in the counts- 
is called the Sterling Mine, from its owner James Sterling, in 
the same range and geological relation as the last. It was dis- 
covered about 1836, and mining operations were soon after com- 
menced and have been since continued with but little interrup- 
tion, principally for supplying the furnaces at Sterlingville and 
near Antwerp. Lately it has been' taken to Louisburgh and 
these three furnaces are now principally supplied by this mine. 
It forms an island in a swamp about halfway between Antwerp 
and Somerville and a quarter of a mile east of the plank road. 
On the east, the swamp is bordered by a ledge of gneiss and on 
the west by Potsdam sandstone, and the mine furnishes a greater 
variety of minerals of scientific interest than any other in this 
section of the state. We have not been able to procure reliable 
statistics of the amount of ore produced by this mine. Half 
a mile further south there was opened by Mr. Parish the 

* History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. 683. 



560 Mineral Localities. 

White ore bed on the premises of Mr. Guy White, in August, 
1848. It had been observed five or six years previous on the 
eastern and southern end of a knoll capped with sandstone 
and in the immediate vicinity of gnei-s rock. About 150 perch 
of ore had been raised in October, 184S. It has since been 
wrought for the furnace of Messrs. Skinner and Blish at Wegat- 
chie. No mineral associates of interest have been observed here. 
About a mile from the village of Antwerp and in a relation cor- 
responding with the others, there has been opened within the 
last year still another mine, on the land of Mr. Ward, but it has 
not been sufficiently explored to afford a knowledge of its extent 
or value. There are thus seven or eight mines in a range includ- 
ing those in Philadelphia apparently coeval in age and pro- 
duced by a common cause, and it is in the highest degree proba- 
ble that there will hereafter be opened other mines in this region 
of equal if not superior interest. About two miles from Ox Bow, 
in Antwerp, and near the plank road to Evans' Mills occurs the 
Weeks' ore bed, belonging to Mr. Parish. It has been princi- 
pally used at Rossie as a flux and is considered of but little rich- 
ness by itself. It has no mineral associates of interest, is of a 
dull red color and slaty texture, resembling the ore of Philadel- 
phia. 

*S'/)Aene(scilecio-calcareousoxyde of titanium) is found in white 
limestone with pargasite, in Antwerp, near Ox Bow. It is of a 
pale red color, and in minute quantities. It also occurs in large, 
finely-formed and sharply-defined crystals, near Natural Bridge. 
In Diana, near the county line, occurs one of the finest localities 
of this mineral known. It has been defined as Ledererite, but 
is considered but a variety of this mineral. 

Spinel, of a pale red color, and crystals sometimes half an inch 
in diameter, but usually much smaller, has been observed at 
Vrooman Lake, near Ox Bow, and four miles from that place 
towards Theresa. It is imbedded in white limestone, and accom- 
panied with chondrodite in small quantities. This mineral re- 
sembles, in many respects, the ruby and saphire. 

Talc is sometimes noticed in bowlders in small quantities. 

Tourmaline is occasionally found in gneiss, in Antwerp and 
Theresa, and is found occasionally in bowlders; but the finest 
locality in northern New York exists on Bald Island, about 
three miles from Alexandria Bay, where it exists in huge striat- 
ed prisms, in such quantities as to convey the belief that it 
would lead to coal, and induced the commencement of mining 
operations, under circumstances that the slightest acquaintance 
with geology would have discountenanced. This affords but one 
instance among many, of the utility of this science in directing 
expenditures for mining in the right channel, and in preventing 
an outlay for the attainment of impossibilities. 



Meteorological Observations. 



561 






Wad (earthy manganese) has been noticed in swamps, in 
Watertown and elsewhere. 

Wollastonite (tabular spar) occurs with angite and coccolite, 
at Natural Bridge. Delicate fibrous varieties have been found 
in bowlders in Wilna. 

Meteorological observations were made at the academy in 
Belleville during the years 1S30-31-33-34-35-36-42-43-44, 
in pursuance of the requisition of the Regents of the Lniversity, 
and these returns of nine years constitute the only observations 
of the kind we possess in the county. They gave the following 
results: 



MONTHS. 


THERMOMETER. 


RESULTANT OF WINDS. 


WEATHER, MEAN RES. 


























1 


2 


3 
59 


4 
2s 


5 

87 


6 


7 


8 


9 10 


11 


12 


January, 


25.16 


22.31 


S.81°10'W. 


20 


6.05 


13.00 18.00 


1.99 


17. 8S 


February, 


in. 5e 


27.97 


58 


-34 


92 


S.51 16 W 


1.5 


4.47 


12.17 10.05 


1.83 


16.46 


March, 


29. GO 


36.24 


72 


—22 


94 


S.53 23 W. 


23 


8.31 


14.50 16.50 


1.49 


13 36 


April, 


46.30 


50.01 


80 


14 


64 


S. 49 09 W. 


25 


7.52 


17.1112.89 


1.S6 


16.85 


May, 


.1.3.01 


58.88 


&S 


2:- 


65 


S.51 06 W. 


37 


11.19 


18.50 12.50 


2.45 


12.05 






66.06 


95 


23 


72 


S.59 03 W. 


45 


13.53 


19.5610.44 


2.4^ 


22.28 


July 


GS.15 


71.15 


98 


3! 


59 


S.G0 41 W. 


54 


16.32 


22.76 8.22 


2.96 


26.66 




66. 5e 


G5.SG 


&8 


3( 


i;s 


S.74 27 W. 


32 


9.52 


19.05 11.95 


2.60 


23.40 


.September,. . . . 


03.6.'. 


56.44 


90 


11 


71 


S 53 36 W. 


19 


5.75 


15. £0 14.50 


4.02 


36.20 


October, 


31.5! 


16.37 


73 


14 


04 


S.5.5 58 W. 


26 


7.83 


13.89 17.11 


4.00 


30.02 


November,. . .. 


11. fr 


52.74 


65 


— ) 


66 


S. 64 44 W. 


15 


4.51 


8. 28,21. Tl 


2.86 


2.5.71 


December, .... 


26. 1( 
44. 74 


25.68 
16.64 


56 

98 


— 3( 
-3< 


92 
134 


S-45 15 W. 


15 


4.40 


9.22 21.78 
15.21 15.14 


2-12 

2..-,:, 


L9.03 


Mean, 


S.59°05, W. 


26 


7.!'- 


22.99 



Highest degree, July 10, 1834, and August 5, 1839, 93°. Lowest degree, December 16, 1835, 
35°. Extreme range in nine years, 133-'. Mean monthly range, 74i°. Greatest monthly 
range, in March. Least monthly range, in July. Driest month, March. "Wettest month 
September. Total fall of rain and snow in nine years, 22 feet, 11.99 inches. 



EXPLANATIONS. 



1, Mean temperature, 1st half. 

2, " " 2d half. 

3, Highest degree observed. 

4, Lowest " " 

5, Extreme range. 

G, Mean direction of winds. 



7, Percentage of this direction. 

8, Days,-mean direction. 

9, Clear days. 
30, Cloudy days. 

11, Rain gage,-monthly mean. 

12, Total tall of rain and snow, in 

inches. 



This station is situated in the valley of North Sandy Creek; 
the surrounding country is undulating, with no high hills, and is 
but little sheltered from the winds of the lake, which probably 
influence its temperature and other features of its climate. 

The memorable tornado of September 20, 1S45, which swept 
through the great forest of St. Lawrence, Frank! in & Clinton coun- 
ties, originated in the town of Antwerp, but did not begin to do 
much execution till it entered the town of Fowler.* On the 9th of 
September previous, a tornado of less extent, having a parallel 
course, passed over Lewis county. The great tornado was at- 
tended by an earthquake on the north shore of lake Ontario. 

* See History of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, p. 698. 



Appendix. 563 



APPENDIX. 



Page 23. 

LETTER OF CHARLEVOIX. 

Father Charlevoix, a Jesuit, who in 1720 and 1721 visited the 
North American French colonies by order of the king of France, 
addressed the iollowing letter to the duchess de Lesdiguieres, 
from Hungry Bay. It possesses interest from its conveying a 
knowledge of our border a century and a third ago. We have 
translated what relates to the journey.* 

Bay of Famine, 16th May, 1721. 

"Madame: Here am I, detained by a contrary wind, which 
may continue a long time, and keep me more than a day, in 
one of the worst places in the world. I therefore attempt to keep 
off ennui by writing to you. There are passing here constantly 
great armies of pigeons, which we name turtles,- if one of them 
would take charge of my letters you might know perhaps the 
news, before I can get away; but the savages have no aversion 
to dressing these birds for food, as do the Arabs and many other 
people. 

1 embarked on the 14th, at precisely the same hour that I had 
arrived at the town of Catarocoui. 1 had but six leagus to go, 
to gain the Isle aux Chevreuils, where there is a fine port, which 
can receive large barques; but my Canadians had not visited 
their canoe, of which the sun had melted the pitch in many places, 
so that it let in water at all points, and we were compelled to 
lose nearly two hours for repairs, in one of the islands at the 
outlet of lake Ontario. We sailed thence at ten o'clock in 
the morning, without being able to reach Isle au Chevreuil, 
and were forced to spend the night very unpleasantly. 

I noticed here, for the first time, the vines in the woods. 
There were also small lizards, that climb to the tops of the trees. 
I have not made this remark because they are only observed in 
these places, for I am told they occur as far as Mexico. 

The vines have a very large stock, and bear many grapes; but 
the berries are very small, and not much larger than a pea, and 
for this reason it is not worth tilling and cultivating. When ripe, 
they are eaten by the bears, who seek them on the highest 
trees. As for the birds, they would soon perform the vintage of 
the whole forest. 

*Histoire de la Nouvelle France, 4to, Paris, t. iii, p. 204. 



564 Appendix. 

I left yesterday at an early hour, and at eleven in the morning 
stopped at the Galloo Islands, three leagues from Deer Island, at 
43g degrees of latitude. I re-embarked a little alter noon, and 
accomplished a voyage of a league and a half, to reach Point 
de la Traverse; if I had coasted along the main land to this 
place, from that where I passed the night, I should have had 
more than forty leagues to make, and should have been obliged 
to ttke this course had not the lake been calm; for when it is 
agitated, the waves are as great as on the open sea. It is 
not even possible to coast along when the wind is blowing off 
shore. From the point of Galloo Islands, we can see to the west 
the river Chouguen, otherwise called the river of the Ononta- 
gue, which is distant fourteen leagues. As the lake was tranquil, 
with no appearance of ibul weather, and a gentle breeze from 
the east was blowing, that barely filled our sail, I resolved to 
steer direct for this river with the view of saving fifteen or 
twenty leagues of circuit. My attendants, more experienced 
than 1, deemed the attempt hazardous, but from complaisance 
yielded to my advice. The beauty of the country, which was 
passing on my left, did not tempt me any more than the salmon 
and quantities of other excellent fish, which they take in six 
fine rivers, which are two or three leagues from one another. 
We steered off then large, and in four hours found ourselves 
in a place we repented; for the wind arose suddenly, and we 
heartily wished ourselves near the shore. We turned towards 
the nearest, from which we were still three leagues distant, 
and had much difficulty in reaching it. At length, at seven 
o'clock in the evening, we landed in the Bay of Famine, thus 
named from the Marquis de la Barre, the governor general cf 
New France, losing nearly all his army, by hunger and sickness, 
in going to war with the Iroquois. 

It was high time that we landed, for the wind was very strong, 
and the waves so great, that we should not have dared to pass 
the Seine in Paris, opposite the Louvre, at such a time. In 
short, this place is very proper to destroy an army, who could 
only depend upon the chase, and upon fishing, for subsistence: 
besides which the air appears very unwholsome. But nothing 
is finer than the forests, which cover all the shores of the lake. 
The white and red oaks, tower almost to the clouds; there is 
also a tree of the largest class, of which the wood is hard but 
brittle, much resembling that of the plane tree, and of which 
the leaves have five angles, of the ordinary size, of a fine green 
above and whitish beneath. They give it the name of cotonnier* 
because in a little case not larger than an India chestnut there 
is contained a kind of cotton, but this is good for nothing. 

* Covered with down; evidently the Platanus occidcn talis, or button-wood. 



Appendix. 565 

In walking upon the shore of the lake, I noticed that it has 
sensibly receded here. It is noticed that in the space of half a 
league in breadth, the land is much more low and sandy than 
beyond. I have also noticed in this lake, and they assure me 
the same occurs in all the others, almost continually a kind of 
ebb and flow: the rocks which are near the bank are covered 
and exposed several times within a quarter of an hour, although 
the surface of the lake is very calm, and there is no wind. 
After some reflection, I imagine that this must come from springs 
that exist in the bottom of the lakes, and from the shock of 
currents of rivers which enter from all sides and which cause the 
intermittent movements. 

But can you believe, madame, that at this season, and at the 
43d degree of latitude, there are still no leaves on the trees, al- 
though we sometimes have as much heat as you have in July? 
This doubtless is because the earth has been covered with snow 
for many months, and has not yet been sufficiently warmed to 
open the pores of the roots, and cause the sap to rise. As for 
the rest, the Great and Little Famine scarcely deserve the name 
of rivers; these are mere brooks, especially the latter, yet they 
abound in fish. There are here eagles of prodigious size; my 
people destroyed the nest of one that made a cart load of sticks, 
and two young unfledged eagles which were as large as the 
largest turkey-hens. They ate them and found them very good. 
I return to Cataroqui, where, the night I spent there, I was a 
witness to a very curious spectacle. 

About ten or eleven o'clock at night, as I was about to retire, 
I heard a cry which they told me was the war-cry, and soon af- 
ter I saw a band of Missisagues enter the fort, singing. For 
some years, these savages have been constantly engaged in the 
war which the Iroquois have carried on with the Cherokees, a 
numerous people who inhabit a line country south of Lake Erie, 
and from that time, their young men have had uncontrollable 
itching for war. Three or four of these braves, equipped as if 
for a masquerade, with faces painted, so as to inspire horror, 
and followed by all the savages who dwell around the fort, after 
having gone through all the cabins, singing their war songs, to 
the sound of Chickikoe (a kind of gourd containing little peb- 
bles), came to do the same thing in the apartments of the fort, 
in honor of the commandant and the officers. 

I acknowledge to you, madam, that this ceremony has in it 
something that inspires horror, when seen for the first time, and 
I had never before felt so sensibly as then, that I was among 
barbarians. Their songs are always dismal and gloomy, but 
here they were to the last degree horrid, occasioned, perhaps, 
only by the darkness of night, and the apparatus of their festival, 
36 



53G Appendix. 

for such it is with the Indians. This invitation was to the 
Iroquois, who, finding the war with the Cherokees becoming 
tedious, required deliberation, and every one returned home. 

It seems, madam, that in these songs, they invoke the god of 
war, whom the Hurons call Areskoui, and the Iroquois Agreskoue. 
I do not know what name the Algonquins give him; but is it not 
a little remarkable that the Greek word Ap^s [Ares), which is 
Mars, and the god of war in all those countries which follow the 
theology of Homer, should be the root from whence several terms 
which relate to war in the Huron and Iroquois languages seem 
to be derived? Aregouen signifies to make war, and is thus 
conjugated: Jarego, I make war; Sarego, you make war; Arego, 
he makes war. Moreover, Areskoui is not only the Mars of 
these people, he is also the sovereign of the gods, or, as they say, 
the Great Spirit, the creator and master of the world, the genius 
who governs all things; but it is principally in military expedi- 
tions that they invoke him, as if the attribute that does him most 
honor was that of the god of armies. His name is the war-cry 
before combat, and in heat of engagement; in marching they 
often repeat it, as if for mutual encouragement and to implore 
his assistance. 

To raise the hatchet, is to declare war. Every person has the 
right to do it, and nothing can be said against him, unless it be 
among the Hurons and Iroquois, where the matrons command 
and prohibit war, as pleases them; we shall see how far their 
authority extends in these nations. But if a matron wishes to 
engage any one who does not depend on her, to raise a war party 
to appease the manes of her husband, son, or near relalion, or to 
procure prisoners to replace those in her cabin, of whom death 
or captivity has deprived her, she must make him a present of a 
belt of wampum, which invitation is seldom ineffectual. * * * 

Page 58. 

JOSEPH BONAPARTE. 

The following, is the petition that procured the act of natural- 
ization of Count Survilliers. It is preserved in French and 
English, in the Assembly papers, vol. xii, pp. 37-41, Secretary's 
office: 
"To the Honorable, the Legislature of the State of New York: 

Joseph Bonaparte, Count de Survilliers, respectfully repre- 
sents: That he arrived in the State of New York about ten years 
since, and having the desire to bring his family and fortune to 
the said state, he made engagements with some proprietors for 
the purchase of 100,000 acres of land: he paid the value of said 
lands, but could not obtain a title for them, as the existing laws 
were opposed to it. He had, therefore, to be contented with a 



Appendix. 567 

simple mortgage. Availing himself of a law promulgated at 
the same time by a neighboring state, in favor of aliens, he fixed 
his residence there, on lands which he was authorized to hold, 
leaving New York after having remained there more than twelve 
months. At this time, he is obliged by peculiar circumstances, 
either to sell his mortgage, or to become the proprietor of the land, 
and persisting in his desire to acquire property in the State of 
New York, and to spend there a part of the year, which he 
thinks cannot fail to be beneficial to the numerous settlers already 
established on these lands, and increase their number, upon the 
consideration that a neighboring government rapidly increases 
its population by the encouragement given to aliens, and not be- 
ing of the number of those who would wish to abandon this land 
of hospitality, where the best rights of man prevail, bat never- 
theless bound to his own country by duties which misfortune 
renders more sacred, and being unable, as many others have 
done, he avails himself of the law which offers him the honor- 
able and precious title of an American citizen; and presuming 
that he will find in the State of New York, the same condescen- 
sion and kindness he has met with in other states of the union, 
the subscriber prays the legislature will grant to him the right 
to possess and hold lands in the State of New York. 
(Signed) Joseph Bonaparte, 

Count de Survilliers" 

Page 84. 

THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 

Several of the early travelers describe, in romantic terms, the 
beauly of this group of islands; but no language is adequate 
to convey a just idea of the charming variety, that .they presen 
to the traveler. The following extract is from Weld's Journal 
(1799), and gives a truthful description, due allowance being 
made for the changes which cultivation and settlement have 
made: 

" About eight o'clock the next, and eighth morning of our 
voyage, we entered the last lake before you come to that of On- 
tario, called the Lake of a Thousand Islands, on account of the 
multiplicity of them which it contains. Many of these islands 
are scarcely larger than a bateau, and none of them, except such 
as are situated at the upper and lower extremities of the lake, 
appeared to me to contain more than fifteen English acres each. 
They are all covered with wood, even to the very smallest. The 
trees on these last are stunted in their growth, but the larger 
islands produce as fine timber as is to be found on the main shores 
of the lake. Many of these islands are situated so closely to- 
gether, that it would be easy to throw a pebble from one to the 



568 Appendix. 

other, notwithstanding which circumstance, the passage between 
them is perfectly safe and commodious for bateaux, and between 
some of them that are even thus close to each other, is water 
sufficient for a frigate. The water is uncommonly clear, as it is 
in every part of the river, from Lake St. Francis upwards: be- 
tween that lake and the Utawas River downwards, it is disco- 
lored, as I have before observed, by passing over beds of marl. 
The shores of all these islands under our notice are rocky; most 
of them rise very boldly, and some exhibit perpendicular masses 
of rock towards the water, upwards of twenty feet high. The 
scenery presented to view in sailing between these islands is 
beautiful in the highest degree. Sometimes, after passing through 
a narrow strait, you find yourself in a basin, land-locked on every 
side, that appears to have no communication with the lake, ex- 
cept by the passage through which you entered; you are looking 
about, perhaps, for an outlet to enable you to proceed, thinking 
at last to see some little channel which will just admit your ba- 
teau, when on a sudden an expanded sheet of water opens upon 
you, whose boundary is the horizon alone; again in a few 
minutes you find yourself land-locked, and again a spacious pass- 
age as suddenly presents itself; at other times, when in the mid- 
dle of one of these basins, between a cluster of islands, a dozen 
different channels, like so many noble rivers, meet the eye, per- 
haps equally unexpectedly, and on each side the islands appear 
regularly retiring till they sink from the sight in the distance. 
Every minute, during the passage of this lake, the prospect varies. 
The numerous Indian hunting encampments on the different 
islands, with the smoke of their fires rising up between the trees, 
added considerably to the beauty of the scenery as we passed it. 
The lake of a Thousand Islands is twenty five miles in length, 
and about six in breadth. From its upper end to Kingston, at 
which place we arrived early in the evening, the distance is 
fifteen miles: 

The length of time required to ascend the River St. Law- 
rence, from Montreal to Kingston, is commonly found to be about 
seven days. If the wind should be strong and very favorable, 
the passage may be performed in a less time; but should it, on 
the contrary, be adverse, and blow very strong, the passage will 
be protracted somewhat longer; an adverse or favorable wind, 
however, seldom makes a difference of more than three days in 
the length of the passage upwards, as in each case it is necessa- 
ry to work the bateau along by means of poles for the greater 
part of the way. The passage downwards is performed in two 
or three days, according to the wind. The current is so strong, 
that a contrary wind seldom lengthens the passage in that direc- 
tion more than a day." 



Appendix. 569 

The following lines, by Caleb Lyon, of Lyonsdale, nre meri- 
torious as a production of the fancy, and will be read with in- 
terest: 

The Thousand Isles, the Thousand Isles, 

Dimpled, the wave around them smiles, 

Kissed bya thousand red-lipped flowers, 

Gemmed bya thousand emerald bowers, 

A thousand birds their praises wake, 

By rocky glade and plumy brake, 

A thousand cedars' fragant shade 

Fall where the Indians' children played; 

And fancy's dream my heart beguiles, 

While singing thee, the Thousand Isles. 

No vestal virgin guards their groves, 
No Cupid breathes of Cyprian loves, 
No Satyr's form at eve is seen, 
No Dryad peeps the trees between, 
No Venus rises from their shore, 
No loved Adonis, red with gore, 
No pale Eudymion wooed to sleep, 
No brave Leander breasts their deep, 
No Ganymede — no Pleiades — 
Theirs are a New World's memories. 

The flag of France first o'er them hung, 

The mass was said, the vespers sung, 

The freres of Jesus hailed the strands, 

As blessed Virgin Mary's lands; 

And red men mutely heard, surprised, 

Their heathen names all Christianized. 

Next floated a banner with cross and crown, 

'Twas Freedom's eagle plucked it down, 

Retaining its pure and crimson dyes 

With the stars of their own, their native skies. 

There St. Lawrence gentlest flows, 
There the south wind softest blows, 
There the lilies whitest bloom, 
There the birch hath leafiest gloom, 
There the red deer feed in spring, 
There doth glitter wood duck's wing, 
There leap the muscalunge at morn, 
There the loon's night song is borne, 
There is the fisherman's paradise, 
With trolling skiff at red sunrise. 

The Thousand Isles, the Thousand Isles, 
Their charm from every care beguiles; 
Titian alone hath grace to paint 
The triumph of their patron saint, 
Whose waves return on memory's tide, 
La Salle and Piquet side by side. 
Proud Frontenac and bold Champlain 
There act their wanderings o'er again; 
And while the golden sunlight smiles, 
Pilgrims shall greet thee, Thousand Isles. 



570 Appendix. 

Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, early in the century, traveled 
on the St. Lawrence, and his Canadian Boat Song, is familiar 
to all admirers of his writings. The magnificent scenery of this 
noble river, naturally excited the enthusiasm of a temperment 
formed for the perception of the beauties which are so strikingly 
reflected in his poetry. The boatmen were accustomed to beguile 
the tedium of rowing by singing; their voices being perfectly in 
tune together, and the whole joining in the chorus. Of the effect 
of this he says: " Without that charm which association gives 
to every little memorial of scenes or feelings that are past, 
the melody may perhaps be thought common and trifling; but 
I remember when we had entered at sunset upon one of those 
beautiful lakes, into which the St. Lawrence so grandly and un- 
expectedly opens, I have heard this simple air, with a pleasure 
which the finest compositions of the first masters have never 
given me; and now there is not a note of it, which does not 
recall to my memory the dip of our oars in the St. Lawrence, 
the flight of our boat down the rapids, and all those new and 
fanciful impressions to which my heart was alive during the 
whole of this interesting voyage." 

CANADIAN BOAT SONG. 

Et regimen cantus hortatur.—cimsTiLUAX, 

Faintly as tolls the evening chime 
Our voices keep tune, and our oars keep time: 
Soon as the woods on shore look dim, 
We'll sing at St. Ann's our parting hymn. 
Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast, 
The rapids are near and the day-light's past. 

Why should we yet our sail unfurl ? 
There is not a breath the blue wave to curl! 
But, when the wind blows off the shore, 
Oh! sweetly we'll rest on our weary oar. 
Blow, breezes, blow, the stream runs fast, 
The rapids are near and the day-light's past! 

Utawa's tide! this trembling moon, 
Shall see us float over thy Mirges soon: 
Saint of this green isle! hear our prayers, 
Oh! grant us cool heavens and favoring airs. 
Blow, breezes, blow, the stream runs fast, 
The rapids are near and the day-light's past! 

Page 94. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANTWERP. 

The Presbyterian Church of Antwerp was formed in May,, 
1819, by the Rev. Isaac Clinton, at the hall of the public house 
kept by Captain Clewly Copeland, consisting at first of eight 
members. The first ordained elder was Xthamer Tuttle, and the 



Appendix. 571 

first deacon William Randall. Mr. Clinton preached a third of the 
time for a year, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Dearborn, 
from Vermont. After him, the Rev. Calvin Wait was settled as 
a pastor, and remained until dismissed March 9, 1823; and suc- 
ceded by the Rev. James Sandford one third of the time for a 
year. In the summer of 1824, the Rev. Charles G. Finney 
labored a third of the time for three months, during which thirty- 
eight were added. Deacon William Randall, Dr. Hiram Murdock, 
and Archibald Whitford, were in this time installed elders. In 
February, 1825, the church numbered fifty-six adults in commu- 
nion, and in this year began the labors of the Rev. R. R. Dem- 
ming, for one year. In 1830, they were supplied by the Rev. J. 

D. P . In January, 1832, the Rev. Abel L. Crandall hegan 

labors as a stated supply and remained three years, in which time 
fifty-eight were added. In 1835, Rev. Henry Jones, one year. 
L. A. Wicks succeeded, and staid five years, during which the church 
prospered greatly. Several had previously joined the Mormons, 
and the church numbered 114 when he came. It increased 128; 41 
had died, or were cutoff, and when he left 201 remained. Rev. H. 
H. Waite began labors in the fall of 1841; was ordained 
and installed March 9, 1842, and remained till 1845, when Rev. 
J. Thompson preached nearly a year. In 1843, 67 were added. 
In 1847, the Rev. S. Williams, and in May, 1849, Rev. C. B. 
Pond, the present pastor began his labors. January 29, 1849, 
the church became Congregational. About 350 have been re- 
ceived, and its present number is about 100. The church edifice, 
built in 1851, cost #3-600.— Rev. C. B. Pond. 

Page 95. 

ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH, OX BOW. 

The following notice of the Associate Reformed Church of 
Ox Bow, was received too late for insertion in its proper place: 

"The first church in this village was organized under the 
General Assembly, in the year of our Lord 1820. The mem- 
bership consisted chiefly of persons from the south of Scotland, 
who had settled here in 1818-19, and numbered about 40. 
Their fiist pastor was the Rev. Mr. Sandford, from the Eastern 
States, who continued with them until 1830. Mr. Sandford 
afterwards labored for a time in the east, and again returned to 
Ox Bow, where he still resides on a small farm of his own, en- 
joying a calm sun-set on the Bend of ihe Oswegatchie. For seven 
years subsequent to 1830, this society was ministered to succes- 
sively by the Rev. Messrs. McGregor, Stowell,Nicol, and others. 
The doctrine and qualifications of several of the unmentioned ones 
did not by any means meet the religious views and desires of the 



572 Appendix. 

large majority of the congregation, who accordingly left the As- 
sembly and came under the wing of the Associated Reformed, or 
United Presbyterian body in 1837. The Rev. Mr. White was 
the first who labored among them in their new connection; he 
continued a little over a year. About this time, 1838, the 
present church edifice was built, at a cost of $2,500. Next came 
the late Rev. Alexander Proudfit, of Salem, N. Y. ; who supplied the 
greater part of a year. Next came Rev. James Williamson, who 
remained as stated supply upwards of ten years; after him 
several successive probationers; and, lastly, the present incumbent, 
Rev. J. S. Cowper, their first settled pastor since they left the 
Genearl Assembly in 1837, that being previous to the division 
of that body into old and new schools. 

Mr. C. was born in Scotland, and educated in Schenectady, 
Newburgh and Edinburgh, commenced his labors on the first 
Sabbath of January, 1852, the membership was then about 100; 
it is now about 160. 

The sum raised last year for missionary purposes amounted to 
upwards of $220. 

There are four Sabbath schools in the bounds of the congrega- 
tion, with an average attendance of fifty in each; there is also a 
Bible class." 

Page 122. 

The initials near the bottom of this page might lead the rea- 
der to erroneously infer, that they were intended for Mr. Wright, 
which they were not. The surveyor here alluded to still resides 
in Oneida County. 

Page 169. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF HENDERSON. 

This was formed January 1, 1820 of 66 members. Total 
number, 380; present number, 64. The clergy have been Emory 
Osgood, Elisha Morgan, Jesse Elliot, H. Chase, Russell Hervey, 
Alba Wedge, D. D. Read, John Wilder, Elisha Sawyer, Alba 
Cole, Joseph R. Johnson, and John F. Bishop. The first church 
erected in 1823, cost $1,800; the one recently built, $2,800. 

Page 228. 

RODMAN. 

The clerk of the Assembly, in the session of 1S08, when the 
present name of this town was adopted, was Daniel Rodman, in 
compliment of whom, in much probability, the name was given. 



Appendix. 573 

Page 270. 

JASON FAIRBANKS. 

Mr. Fairbanks is a son of Samuel Fairbanks, who was an offi- 
cer of the revolution, and afterwards commanded a company 
sent to suppress Shays' rebellion. The subject of this note was 
born in 1785, in Mendon, Mass., and at thirteen went to Boston, 
where he remained a year with Forbes & King, and then bound 
himself as an apprentice to the saddle and harness business, with 
James Bragg, with whom, in 1802, he removed to Newport, N. 
Y. In 1S07, he was sent by Mr. Bragg into western New York 
on business, and with the motive of selecting a place to settle. 
Remoteness from markets, seemed to promise slender prospects 
of growth to that section, and he resolved upon removing to Og- 
densburgh, where natural advantages seemed to promise future 
prosperity, but, the embargo temporarily checking business, he 
visited Watertown in June, 1S08, where the county buildings 
were about being erected, and the central location, water power, 
and fertility of the surrounding country, presented a cheerful pro- 
spect to the enterprising artizan. There were then but five framed 
buildings in the village. He accordingly removed, September 1, 
1808, and the next day opened a saddle and harness shop in com- 
pany with Calvin McKnight, and continued that business 44 years. 
In 1810, he added shoe-making and tanning to his business, and 
continued them on an extensive scale 42 years, and was for 
many years connected with the business of carriage making and 
merchandise. In the course of these extensive mechanical opera- 
tions, he had more than 500 apprentices, 365 of whom served 
out their time; and of this number at least 350 proved to be re- 
spectable citizens. 

The responsibility resting upon employers, in forming regular 
and correct business habits in apprentices, is universally acknow- 
ledged; and the indolence, want of thrift, and intemperance, too 
often seen among mechanics, may frequently be traced to the vi- 
cious examples and temptations thrown around them, in the shops 
where they acquired their trades. Mr. F. seldom had his appren- 
tices indented, and always gave them, each year, a certain amount, 
for clothing and pocket money, and while he taught thern a good 
trade, he labored to impress upon their minds, that a boy who 
had not integrity enough to perform his bargain, was not worth 
keeping. Another rule which he established on the day he first 
opened shop, and maintained through the whole period, was, 
that no intoxicating liquors, should be used or brought in. 
This rule was seldom violated, and he was led to its adoption, 
from the circumstance that when he first began his apprentice- 



574 Appendix. 

ship, being the youngest in a shop where three different branches 
of business were carried on, he was required to run half the time 
for rum and water. 

By a very natural train of reasoning, he inferred, that so much 
loss of time was alike destructive to morals and a bar to success 
in business; and, while still a boy, he formed the resolution, 
which he ever after maintained. To this regulation, is his suc- 
cess in the training of apprentices, to a great degree due. He 
had usually about twenty at a time, in the different departments 
of his business, more than half of whom were orphans, and hav- 
ing ten boys offered, to one that could be taken, he felt it a duty to 
give preference to those who had no natural protectors. 

When their times had expired he freely assisted them in start- 
ing in business for themselves, by some of whom he lost, while 
others were quite successful. For more than thirty years Mr. Fair- 
banks employed over one hundred persons, and one-half of them 
men of families. He presumes he has fed and clothed full two 
hundred persons for forty-four years, besides giving three hundred 
and sixty-five boys good trades. 

In a recent communication to the author, concerning the man- 
ner in which he and Mr. Keyes lynched from Whittlesey the 
secrets of his robbery, related in the text, and other subjects, he 
says: " Before we executed it, we had positive evidence of his 
knowledge of the transaction, and of his guilt; and on the 
strength of that, w r e did not mean to proceed to extremities, 
farther than to frighten him until he informed us where the mo- 
ney was secreted; but his stubbornness held out much longer 
than we supposed it would or could. When we put the evidence 
of his guilt befoie him, in such a plain manner, his looks were 
evidence of it. We informed him that there was no doubt 
about it; and I believe that there is not one case in a thousand, 
where evidence was so palpable as in this case; but Lynch law 
is a dangerous one, and I would not advise it. But with olher 
guilty parties, who have stolen from me and have been detected, 
1 believe I have used more mild and lenient measures. I have pro- 
bably caught twenty persons pilfering property from me, and I 
have always made them give a confession, in writing, and then 
promised them, that as they had relations who would be disgraced 
by their bad conduct, and a punishment to them, that I would 
keep it a profound secret, until they committed the crime again; 
I would then prosecute them. 1 found this plan the surest me- 
thod of reforming them." 

The following anecdote is related under such circumstances, 
as leave no doubt of its correctness, proving that the indulgence 
of humor is not inconsistent with the administration of justice, 
and that the attributes personified in classic mythology might 



Appendix. 575 

be simplified, by combining the characters of Momus and Rhad- 
amanthus. 

While Mr. Fairbanks was sheriff, he on one occasion in win- 
ter returned to his office at a late hour in the night, and while 
engaged in writing, he heard, in the back yard, the creaking 
sound, which, in intensely cold weather, is given by beaten snow 
when trodden. Stepping to a darkened window, he noticed, in 
the clear, frosty moonlight, a man loading a hand sled with wood 
from his pile. He quietly took down a heavy black whip, and 
repairing to the yard saluted his midnight visitor, by enquiring 
how many loads he had borrowed, and whether he was using 
them all alike. The confusion which this detection occasioned 
was extreme, and the man begged to be released, acknowledging 
that he had taken several loads from this pile, and from those of 

Mr. , Mrs. , &c. Finding that, in this levy, he had 

not been governed by the official rate bill of the town collector, 
having taken from widows and those in humble life, and passed 
the more wealthy, he compelled him to finish this load, upon the 
top of which he mounted, and using the whip instead of the 
reins, drove to the house of one whose ability to pay this tax 
was limited. He then drove back to his own pile, and subse- 
quently to others, always riding, whether full or empty, and 
spent a considerable part of the night in equalizing the assess- 
ment. Towards morning, having taken his customary receipt 
from the team, he dismissed him, and the next day explained to 
his neighbors the cause of the differences that they had noticed 
in their woodpiles. 

While sheriff, in 1821, having noticed, in a Philadelphia 
paper, that Pennsylvania had produced a grand jury whose 
average weight was 200 pounds, he availed himself of the 
privilege, which the law then gave, for selecting, at his own 
discretion, this jury, and assembled one in Jefferson County, 
which lacked but ISO pounds of containing three tons, of re- 
spectability and character personified by twenty-four grand jury- 
men. These, with the officers of the court (most of whom hap- 
pened to be spare men), were feasted by the sheriff, and much mer- 
riment was occasioned by the contrast of the "lean court and fat ju- 
ry." The names of this jury were sought but not found in the 
clerk's office. One kept by Mr. Fairbanks, was, with a list of his 
apprentices, and other papers, lost in the great fire of 1S49. Mr. 
Fairbanks was deputy United States marshall twenty-five years, 
sheriff six years, and county treasurer twelve years. He has suf- 
fered repeatedly from fires, by which he has experienced a loss of 
$25,000. At the age of 6S, he enjoys fine health, which is due 
to diet and exercise. He rises at five o'clock in winter, and 
four in suminerj rides on horseback from two to five miles, or 



576 Appendix. 

■walks one mile, every morning, and seldom sleeps more than five 
hours in the twenty-tour. As Dr. Franklin has said that, " three 
removes are as bad as a fire," he has evinced little inclination 
for change, and has resided thirty-eight years in the same house. 

Page 327. 

THE CLAIMS OF WILLIAM DEWEY. 

This gentleman's zeal in directing public attention to the im- 
portance of the rail road, at a time when it had lost its interest, and 
had been in a measure forgotten, occasioned a meeting of young 
men in the village of Watertown, May 20, 1853, at which B. F. 
Stillman, James F. JStarbuck, Charles D. Wright, George S. 
Goodale and James R. A. Perkins, were chosen a committee to ex- 
press their sense of obligation to him for his labors, and present 
a gold watch as a testimonial of respect. 

Page 388. 

REPORT OF COMMITTEE IN ASSEMBLY, FOR A TAX UPON THE COUNTY, 
FOR THE BENEFIT OF ELLISBURGH ACADEMY. 

" That it is in contemplation by the petitioners, provided suffi- 
cient aid can be obtained, to establish the manual labor system 
at Union Academy, in addition totheother branches of education 
now taught there. Your committee have taken some pains to 
examine the subject, and bring into view the various advantages 
that are expected to result from such an important combination 
as learning and labor. It is a general evil, and becoming daily 
more prevalent, that the young men who attend our academic 
institutions, are very apt to shake off previously acquired habits 
of industry, and by those seductive arts that much leisure aiford, 
run riot in indolence, and contract positive evils that will stick 
by them through life, thereby impairing, and perhaps destroying 
their usefulness as members of society. If, whilst our young 
men are learning the theoretic branches of science, they can also 
exercise their talents in a practical manner during relaxation 
from study, it is confidently believed, that not only their health 
will be promoted, but that their services in community as practi- 
cal men, will be correspondingly enhanced. In this age of phi- 
lanthropy, much is doing for the amelioration of the human 
family. A judicious system of education is the grand lever by 
which we are to sustain those immutable principles, justice and 
equality, engrafted on our ilourishing republic by practical men. 
It is our sacred duty to foster education and industry, and when 
we are assured that in Switzerland the manual labor system is 
ilourishing under the most favorable asupices, our beloved coun- 

* Assembly Documents, 1831, vol. iii., No. 263. 



Appendix. 577 

try ought not to be behind in the pleasing employment of giving 
facilities to the poor and industrious young men of our state, 
thereby enabling them to sustain situations in life which they 
otherwise could not do, because the avail of their labor at such 
institutions, during vacation from study, go to defray th'e expen- 
ses of that study. All distinction is here abolished; the rich 
and the poor young man is subjected to the same labor and re- 
strictions, and that foolish pride of superiority, so foreign to 
republicans, melts away under the influence of such an equal 
state of things. Your committee agree with the petitioners, that 
legislative aid may be properly extended to such an institution, 
and therefore ask leave to introduce a bill." 

Page 479. 

BRIGADIER GENERAL Z. M. PIKE. 

The following notice of this worthy officer, who fell in the 
attack upon York, is prepared from a more extended article that 
was published soon after his death. Through the munificence of 
our government, his memory has been honored by a monument 
at Sackets Harbor,* that formerly bore his name, with those of 
Covington, Backus, Mills, and many others. 

Zebulon Montgomery Pike was born at Lamberton, N. J. 
January 5, 1779, at an early day received a commission, became 
familiar with military life, and warmly attached to the service. 
Feeling the want of an education, he applied himself to the task 
of self culture, and without the aid of teachers acquired a fair 
classical and general education. He cherished from an early 
period a habit of mental discipline, and the tenor of his thoughts 
may be inferred from a memorandum written by him, on a blank 
page of a favorite volume. 

" Should my country call for the sacrifice of that life which 
lias been devoted to her service from early youth, most willingly 
shall she receive it. The sod which covers the brave, shall be 
moistened by the tears of love and friendship: but if 1 fall far 
from my friends, and from you, my Clara, remember, — that ' the 
choicest tears which are ever shed, are those that bedew the un- 
buried head of a soldier,' and when these eyes shall meet the 
eyes of our young let the pages of this little book be im- 
pressed on his mind, as the gift of a father who had nothing to 
bequeath but his honor, and let these maxims be ever present to 
his mind, as he rises form youth to manhood: — 

1. Preserve your honor free from blemish. 

2. Be always ready to diefor your country.'''' 

In 1805, Pike was selected by government to explore the 

* Of pine boards, now nearly rotten and thrown down, p. 182. — Author. 



578 Appendix. 

source of the Mississippi in the newly acquired territory of Louis- 
iana, and the following year, was sent for a similar purpose into 
the interior of Louisiana. On the occurrence of the war, he was 
stationed on the northern frontier, and early in 1813, was pro- 
moted to a Brigadier General. Having spent a portion of the 
winter of 1812-3, at Plattsburgh, he was ordered to join General 
Dearborn at Sackets Harbor, to which place he marched by the 
inland route through St. Lawrence County toward spring. The 
sentiment of a letter written to his father near Cincinnati on the 
day before he sailed on the expedition, is expressive of the finest 
sentiments of patriotism and honor. 

" I embark to-morrow in the fleet at Sackets Harbor, at the 
head of a column of 1500 choice troops, on a secret expedition. 
If success attends my steps, honor and glory await my name; if 
defeat, still shall it be said: We died like brave men; and con- 
ferred honor, even in death, on the American name. 

Should I be the happy mortal, destined to turn the scale of 
war, will you not rejoice, O My Father! May Heaven be pro- 
pitious, and smile on the cause of my country. But if we are 
destined to fall, may my fall be like Wolfe's — to sleep in the 
arms of victory." 

A thirst for military adventure must be distinguished from 
patriotism, and in forming an estimate of the merits of character, 
and in examining the motives which actuated the conduct and 
guided the life of General Pike, we can not withhold from him 
the credit of being influenced by the latter. It is upon those, 
governed by sentiments expressed in the above extracts, that our 
country must depend for defence against foreign aggression and 
domestic commotion, and without which our liberties are but an 
empty name, and liable to be seized upon by ambitious despots 
or intriguing demagogues. It is a stain upon our national char- 
acter, that our government allows the graves of the officers who 
fell on our northern frontier during the war, to remain unnoted 
by any monument, or other memorial of acknowledgment of 
their merit; not even by a tablet, which our humblest citizens 
afford as a token of affection to the memory of their dead. 

Page 462. 

The following interesting letters from the correspondence of 
General Brown relate to events connected with the county, in 
early part of the campaign of 1812, and will be read with in- 
terest: 



Appendix. 579 

GOVERNOR TOMPKINS TO GENERAL BROWN. 

Albany, June 23, 1812. 

Sir: War is declared between the United Kingdoms of Great 
Britain and Ireland and its dependencies, and the United States 
of America and the territories thereof. This event will call 
forth the energies of every friend of his country, and more 
especially of those officers who are assigned to command the 
military forces. You will have received the General Order 
assigning you to the command of one of the brigades detached 
from the militia of this State, in anticipation of the event which 
is now announced. Our militia law makes provision for calling 
out the brigade you now command, in case of invasion, and you 
are hereby empowered to reinforce Col. Bellinger with the mili- 
tia detachment from Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties, 
and to arm them and equip them at the State Arsenals at Russell 
and at Watertown, if in your opinion the safety of the in- 
habitants, or any important object to be accomplished shall re- 
quire it. I place much reliance on your abilities and valor in 
protecting our frontier inhabitants until the arrival of further 
troops and supplies, which will be forwarded with the utmost 
practicable expedition. 

I am respectfully your obedient servant, 

Daniel D. Tompkins. 

Gen. Jacob Brown. 

P. S. Let Col. Benedict turn out with the St. Lawrence de- 
tachment immediately, to guard the frontier from Ogdensburgh 
to St. Regis. Station them as may be best calculated for that 
purpose. They may arm from the Russell Arsenal. 

GENERAL BROWN TO GOVERNOR TOMPKINS. 

Brownville, June 25, 1812. 

Dear Sir: Your order of the 23d instant was delivered me 
this day about 10 o'clock. For this additional proof of your 
confidence in assigning to me the command of a brigade, you 
have my earnest acknowledgments. I humbly pray God that I 
may do my duty. This county must be sacrificed, provided it 
should be assailed by the force now in Kingston, unless we are 
provided with the means of defence. We will try to keep them 
at bay until the necessary supplies arrive, which may Heaven 
and our country grant speedily. 

I am, &c, Jacob Brown. 

His Excellency, D. D. Tompkins. 



580 Appendix. 

Brownville, June 26, 1812. 
Dear Sir: In the course of yesterday and last night I ascer- 
tained, as I am induced to believe, that the news of the Declara- 
tion of War against Great Britain, had not been received at 
Kingston, and by my express I ordered the officer at Cape Vin- 
cent to prevent all passing, and, if possible, all communication. 
Perhaps we can keep the news from this post a day or two. 

Within one hour after the arrival of Mr. Whigton, I had ex- 
presses on their way to every Colonel in the counties of Lewis, 
Jefferson and St. Lawrence, excepting Col. Cox, and his orders 
I sent by Whigton. The men of this county are now assembling; 
in the course of to-day and next day I trust that 1 shall have 
them at Sackets Harbor. Those from the county of Lewis shall 
be on with all possible speed, and Col. Benedict has the neces- 
sary orders for the county of St. Lawrence, and I know that he 
is of the stuff to do his duty. Our situation as to arms and am- 
munition will be explained to you by Mr. Whigton; it will be 
concealed from the enemy as much as possible. We rely with 
confidence that our country will supply us with the means of 
defence without any delay. I assure eveiy one that wagons in 
great numbers are on the way with munitions of war in great 
abundance. 

I observe that Col. Bellinger was not advised by your Excel- 
lency of my being assigned to the command of a brigade. I 
humbly submit to your Excellency if it would not be proper that 
it should be done. My opinion is that a strong detachment 
should at once be marched on to Cape Vincent, directly opposite 
to Kingston. A force from Cape Vincent and Ogdensburgh can 
be concentrated at any time by the aid of boats in 24 hours. 
From Sackets Harbor they can not advance with so much certain- 
ty or facility; at the same time a respectable force should be 
kept up at Sackets Harbor. 

Your Excellency will bear in mind that this is a very new 
country; that the population is light and generally poor, though 
very respectable for so new a country, and that if any more men 
are called from their homes, the crops which now promise a very 
abundant harvest, must perish on the ground. I mention this to 
your Excellency as the country expects it at my hands, and much 
more than my feeble abilities can accomplish: but no considera- 
tion of this nature shall deter me for a moment from calling out 
every man in the country if its defence requires it, though I must 
for the present hope that the force coming on will render such a 
measure unnecessary. I pray God that our Government will act 
with that decision and energy which becomes a gallant people. 
1 am respectfully and humbly yours, 

Jacob Brown. 



Appendix. 58 1 

P. S. I pray your Excellency to give Col. Gursham Tuttle 
the command of a regiment if it has not been done, and your 
Excellency can consider it for the good of the service. 
His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. 

Brownville, June 29, 1812. 

Dear Sir: Being solicitous to know with certainty the state 
of the preparations designed for the safety of this coun + y, I have 
dispatched Hart Massey, Esq., for that purpose — he being a man 
in whom you can place confidence. Being deeply impressed 
with the weight of responsibility that rests upon me, I am so- 
licitous, among other things, that your Excellency will give me 
all the aid by instructions that the nature of my situation will 
admit. I almost assure myself that the munitions of war are at 
hand so as to enable the inhabitants of this county to sell their 
lives, if they are to be lost; but this is a subject of so much mo- 
ment that I can not rest until the people actually have arms and 
ammunition. Many families are pressing on towards the old 
settlements, and unless we are immediately supplied lean not say 
to what extent this disgrace will extend. Your Excellency will 
probably be surprised at this intelligence. I am loth to state 
it, and my soul sickens to see a gallant people thus situated. 

Many of the guns from the arsenal are in the most wretched 
condition, and many more totally unfit for use. What powder 
we have — which by the way is very little — is not fit for such a 
business as we are engaged in, or for any other but to make 
squibs. 

War is not only declared, but actually commenced along this 
border. Some of our people, without orders, and in fact without 
consulting with any person in the service, captured the little 
garrison on Carlton Island, and the prisoners are now on their 
way to Sackets Harbor. For the particulars, I must refer you to 
Mr. Massey who knows whatever has transpired in the county. 

I am very much in want of Col. Stone, and all the other offi- 
cers who are detached for my brigade. Until the return of my 
brother from the county of St. Lawrence, last evening, I had no 
person near me on whom I could with safety call. 

There is much uneasiness at Sackets Harbor for the want of 
pay. These poor fellows have but a pittance for their services, 
and that pittance they want. Col. Bellinger is, I am persuaded, 
a brave officer and a worthy man; upon the whole I am very 
much pleased with him as a man. 

I have to recommend particularly to your Excellency, John 
M. Canfield, as Paymaster to my Brigade. I know no man 
more worthy of confidence, and to him it would be a very plea- 
sant berth in these times. 
37 



582 Appendix. 

I have given the command at Cape Vincent, for the present, 
to John B. Esselstyn, and I should be gratified if your Excellency 
would assign him to a command as Major, which rank he holds 
in the militia at present. 

Your Excellency may count with certainty upon every Indian 
throughout British America being perfectly armed and prepared 
for the combat. 

Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown. 

To Gov. Tompkins. 

Brownville, July 2, 1812. 

Dear Sir: It is with great pleasure that 1 inform your Excel- 
lency that the perturbation produced by the declaration of war 
is subsiding for the present. I have traversed the most of the 
settlements in the county, had little meetings of the inhabitants, 
and was much gratified by the manly spirit discovered by most. 
I advised all those who were disposed to abandon their country 
in the hour of danger, never to return, &c. Most of those who 
had started are returning to their habitations. The moment I 
can put arms in their hands your Excellency will, I trust, 
hear no more of such disgraceful conduct from this quarter. 

I must take the liberty of again reminding your Excellency 
that Cape Vincent and Ogdensburgh are, in my humble opin- 
ion, the points at which your principal force should be assem- 
bled. Sackets Harbor is too far from the line, as 1 can have no 
idea of our Government declaring war against Great Britain 
without the conquest of Canada. Our honor and interest and 
everything demands it. For Heaven's sake, let our country put 
forth its strength, and Canada must fall, and that at once, to 
Quebec, and we shall no longer be subject to the disgrace of 
defending our country against Canada and the perpetual alarm 
of a savage foe. 

Col. Bellinger would, in my humble opinion, be much more 
useful on the St. Lawrence; his force can at present have no ac- 
tive duty where they are. They are now greatly wanted on the 
St. Lawrence, and will be, until the arrival of reinforcements. 
As yet I have heard of no reinforcements being on the way, and 
until this moment I have heard of no more arms or ammunition. 
By a letter from Judge Attwater I have, whilst writing, learned 
that arms would probably be in Denmark by to-morrow evening; 
what quantity he does not say. Without ordnance, your Excel- 
lency will perceive that Ogdensburgh and Cape Vincent, and all 
our places along the St. Lawrence and the Lake, will be in dan- 
ger of being destroyed. I should suppose that our country would 
not be willing to submit to such disgrace. 

I had proceeded thus far when Lieut. Col. Benedict's letter, 



Appendix. 583 

together with that of Judge Richards', arrived. I send a copy of 
Benedict's and the Judge's letter, that you may have a view of 
the war in that quarter. Whatever my worthy and gallant friend 
Benedict may say, I say, that the British will not take possession 
of Ogdensburgh without the loss of many lives. 

If the British make their approach with ordnance, Benedict 
will, to be sure, be unhappily situated; but in any situation your 
Excellency may rely upon his doing his duty, and I think all 
honorable men must mourn that he can not meet the enemy on 
equal terras. I will write your Excellency again when I see 
what are the amount of my munitions of war by the teams about 
which Judge Attwater speaks. 

Yours respectfully and sincerely, 

Jacob Brown. 

P. S. We are greatly in want of pistols and swords, and if 
your Excellency could have some forwarded for the use of men 
disposed to use them, on their paying for them, or giving good 
security, they would be essentially useful. 

His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. 

Brownville, July 3, 1812. 

Dear Sir: Since writing you yesterday, some of my scouts 
brought in a man supposed by them to be a spy; he, however, 
turns out to be a good Yankee, who was making the best of his 
way home. He was found in the woods a little to the west of 
Indian River, and six or eight miles from the St. Lawrence. 
He states that he saw the people who were taken from the ves- 
sels that were burned, that there were 30 of them, and among 
them several women and children — parts of families moving — 
that everything on board the vessels, even their very clothes, 
■were burned. This man's story is to be relied on, as he has re- 
spectable friends in this village who vouch for his veracity. 

Major Noon has just been with me; he passed from Ogdens- 
burgh to Cape Vincent since this burning, and confirms the whole 
account. I apprehend the British contemplate fortifying the 
Narrows from island to island, so as to command the river. This 
must be prevented, and for this and other objects we are greatly 
in want of ordnance, and some men to use them with success. 

I have to state to your Excellency that at the moment when the 
greatest alarm existed among the good people of this county, 
Capt. Camp and company proffered their services for the defence 
of the country for thirty days. I saw that it could but have the 
most happy effect, and accepted their services. Had I any au- 
thority so to do? At that moment I supposed that I had; upon 
reflection, I fear that I have not. If I have exceeded my authori- 



584 Appendix. 

ty, I trust your Excellency will excuse me and inform me what is 
to be done with such a business. 

As I have not heard from Col. Stone, and as I consider it of 
the first importance to have more force on the St. Lawrence, I 
have ordered Col. Bellinger to detach one hundred men to Cape 
"Vincent under the command of his second Major. It will be 
done to-morrow. I feel much delicacy in interfering in any 
way with Col. Bellinger, but Albany is a great way off, and I 
am persuaded that our force will be much more serviceable at 
the St. Lawrence. My opinion is decidedly for pressing to the 
line. The force under Col. Bellinger is the principal force in 
the country, and I should suppose that it was to be used at this 
time. Your Excellency will explain to me the relation in which 
I stand to Col. Bellinger. He is one of the best of men. 

From the situation of our county, the first and second detach- 
ment must, I should suppose, to be useful, act together, and that 
very near the St. Lawrence. It may be desirable to press down 
the St. Lawrence to the aid of Col. Benedict before the force 
gets on from the old counties. 

Upon the whole, I pray your Excellency to sanction what I 
have done, and to be more explicit with your orders in future. 
My object is the complete and perfect defence of this country 
for the present, and if I can but effect this I shall hope to meet 
with the approbation of the Commander-in-Chief, though my 
conduct may be a little irregular. As I am collecting a consider- 
able force on the St. Lawrence, where an enemy may soon be 
met, I have taken the liberty to employ a surgeon on whom re- 
liance may be placed. Dr. Amasa Trowbridge is the man. He 
is very respectable as a surgeon, and I pray your Excellency to 
approve my choice and forward the tools he wants. 

Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown. 

His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. 

GOVERNOR TOMPKINS TO GENERAL BROWN. 

Albany, June 20, 1812. 
Dear Sir: By Judge Attwater I forwarded the following arti- 
cles for the troops under your command: 1,000 muskets; 520 
cartridge boxes; 15,000 musket cartridges, IS to the pound; 10,- 
000 do., 16 to the pound; a ton of lead; 10,300 musket bullets, 
18 to the pound; 56 rifles; 40 casks of powder; 1,000 flints; 2 
brass nine pounders; 2 pair staffs, spongers, rammers, port-fire, 
stocks, &c; 2 setts of horse harness; 1,500 cannon balls for six 
pounders; 1,500 three pounders, and some camp kettles, slow 
match and buck shot. In addition thereto, there is now boxing, 
and will leave before sunset, with Major Edmunds, a Revolution- 
ary officer, 1,000 muskets, 100 cartridge boxes, fixed ammunition, 



Appendix. 585 

camp kettles, powder, &c., and I have directed 9 pound balls to 
be cast at the foundry in French Creek [supposed to be Taberg]. I 
shall order these things on with the greatest expedition, and 
shall add some knapsacks. Tents have not arrived from New 
York. The want of them has distressed me beyond measure. 
The moment they come, you shall be supplied as fast as horses 
can carry them. When the whole supplies arrive, you will have 
2,000 muskets, and ammunition, &c, in your command — a supply 
for your post alone greater than the whole United States posses- 
sed at the commencement of the Revolution. 

Our hands will be full; but be in good spirits, cheer the inhab- 
itants, and you may rely upon my devoting the exertions of every 
man to aid you. You are at liberty to order Colonel Stone with 
volunteers, or the detachment from Oneida County. 
In great haste, 

Yours respectfully, Daniel D. Tompkins. 

General Brown. 

P. S. Major General Van Rensselaer, or some other general 
officer will be ordered to assist and advise in your operations as 
soon as I can supply you with tents. Let some men be making 
cartridges at the Arsenal. Cartridge paper goes on, pistols also. 
Remember that the Tower Hill arid Hamburg muskets are cali- 
bre 16 to a pound, and the French and new muskets 18 to a 
pound. You have both kinds of ammunition. Dont let them 
be confounded. 

Brownville, July 6, 1812. 

Dear Sir: Yours by Mr. Massey was received the 4th instant, 
early in the morning. I am satisfied. My great anxiety was 
for arms and ammunition. Those by Judge Attwater have nearly 
all gone on to St. Lawrence County. Those by Major Ed- 
munds I am expecting every hour. Since my tour among the 
inhabitants of this county, their conduct appears to be more 
manly. We have no divisions among us. Party with us is 
dead. 

As it was possible that Colonel Benedict might be pressed, 
and as it is of the first importance that what vessels we have 
should be preserved, I have sent the detachments from Lewis 
[County] to Ogdensburgh. And to keep them in as much alarm 
as possible at Kingston, I have stationed the detachment from 
this county at Cape Vincent, and at my request, a considerable 
part of the force under Colonel Bellinger is now also there. I 
consider it of the first importance at present to keep Kingston, 
the seat of British power in Upper Canada, as much alarmed as 
possible, and for this purpose, 1 have deemed it my duty to make 
as great a display of force at Cape Vincent, as my means would 



586 Appendix. 

permit. The British armed vessels remain at Kingston, and I 
am assured that they are arming several others that are now 
there. 

Your Excellency will see the course I have pursued in relation 
to Colonel Bellinger, and the disposition I have made of the 
means in my power, and your Excellency will instruct me ac- 
cordingly. The more I have seen of Colonel Bellinger, the more 
I am pleased with him. He is disposed to do every thing for 
the best. 

Nothing of importance has occurred along our lines since I 
last wrote your Excellency. A few six and nine pounder pieces 
of ordnance at Ogdensburgh and at Sackets Harbor, I should 
consider of importance. The roads are so bad to Ogdensburgh, 
that six pounder pieces only should be sent there. The six 
pounders from this county have gone on to Ogdensburgh; the 
nines are here. 

Not knowing who all the officers are that are assigned to my 
brigade, I have to request your Excellency to order them to me. 
Colonel Stone has received my orders, and I take it for granted 
that he is on his way with his regiment. 

As this is all new business, your Excellency will perceive how 
much I stand in need of my Quarter Master. Let him make his 
appearance forthwith. If Seymour does not like his berth, I 
would recommend to your Excellency a very valuable young 
officer, General Martin's Aid — Captain John Safford.* If there 
is any opening, he would be happy to be employed, and 1 should 
be happy to have such men with me. 

Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown. 

His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. 

Brownville, July 7, 1812. 

Dear Sir: Since writing you yesterday, I have ascertained 
that the Royal George, Duke of Kent, Prince Regent, and Earl 
of Moira, were all in the bight of Kingston harbor on the 7th, in 
the morning, completely equipped and manned; and that the 
British were fitting up, as armed vessels, every bottom that they 
could command on the lake. Your Excellency must not be sur- 
prised if they should attempt to destroy every vessel we have on 
the lake, and you will perceive that without ordnance it will 
be difficult to prevent them. 

It is, I should suppose, very important to preserve the eight 
fine vessels we have now at Oswegatchie. With ordnance, I 
should hope to get these vessels up the river, or be able to de- 
fend them where they are. 

Colonel Stone has not yet arrived, nor one single field-officer, 

* The late Dr. John Saiford, of Watertotvn, 



Appendix. 587 

or one single man south of Lewis County. The detachment 
from Lewis County are all with Colonel Benedict. I intend to 
go to the county of St. Lawrence the moment I can get hold of 
Colonel Stone and get him settled down at his post at Cape 

V inppnt 

I will try and keep them alarmed at Kingston as much and as 
long as possible. 

Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown, 

Brigadier General. 
His Excellency V. D. Tompkins. 

Albany, July 6, 1812. 
Dear Sir: I enclose you a letter for Bellinger, placing him 
under your command. I also send you a copy of a letter I have 
received from David A. Ogden, of St. Lawrence County, and 
have requested the bearer of it, to show you my answer to Mr 
Ogden, and the list enclosed in it. I have left it unsealed for 
that purpose. You will station at Heuvelton and other places 
towards the St. Regis settlement such force and supplies as a 
judicious regard to the security of the whole frontier will enable 
you. I am, dear sir, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, Daniel D. Tompkins. 

General Jacob Brown. 

Brownville, July 10, 1812. 

Dear Sir: I enclose you Colonel Ben- 

edict's letter of the 6th July, from which you will see the temper 
of the people in that (St. Lawrence) County. I have ordered. 
Colonel Benedict to defend the eight vessels to the last extremity, 
unless he should hear that Woolsey had fallen. My object is to 
have the vessels armed, if the government will do it, and pre- 
serve Woolsey. 

You must suppose that I will pay no attention to county reso- 
lutions on the present question. I shall leave the good county 
of Jefferson in a few days for St. Lawrence. The people of that 
county are, I am told, abandoning it in a most shameful manner. 
They stand firm, as yet, in Jefferson. Will the government con- 
tend for the dominion of the lake, or is Woolsey to be sacrificed? 
Have the goodness to let me know your Excellency's opinion on 
this subject. If the Oneida is to be preserved, the government 
must speedily furnish guns to arm and men to man our other 
vessels. 

Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown. 

His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. 



588 Appendix. 

Sackets Harbor, July 11, 1S12. 
Dear Sir: I was called, very early this morning by an alarm, 
to this place. It was rumored that Woolsey, with the Oneida, 
had fallen into the hands of the enemy. I do not believe it, and 
as yet I have seen no enemy. Some may suppose it imprudent 
for Woolsey to remain out. They are wrong; it is his only 
chance. Here he can not stay with any safety, as we have no 
battery to shield him from a superior force. He may probably 
dodge their fleet on the broad lake, and take a shot at them one 
at a time. He, so far, has my entire confidence and esteem, and 
I would to God it was in my power to give him the assistance he 
merits. I pray your Excellency to let me know specifically 
what aid is to be expected for Woolsey, for until I know that he 
is to be abandoned, I wiil protect our other vessels to the utmost 
of my means. 

We have the 9 lb. cannon at this place, but not a single 9 lb. 
shot. 1 know and feel the effects of your Excellency's zeal for 
the honor and interest of the country, and I have written you so 
much on the subject of munitions of war that really I am almost 
ashamed to trouble you any more; but at the earnest solicitation 
of the inhabitants of this place, I must again say, that without 
the means of arming our vessels, the lake and river will most 
probably soon be at the command of the enemy, and in that case, 
Oswego, Ogdensburgh, Sackets Harbor and Cape Vincent, will 
be at the mercy of the enemy's shipping, unless we are well sup- 
plied with ordnance lor the defence of these places. And I pray 
your Excellency to believe me when I say that it will cost the 
nation twice as much to defend our frontier for twelve months, 
as it would to conquer the Canadas to Quebec in six. 

I am very much disgusted with the manner in which the mili- 
tia turn out from the old counties. One company has at length 
arrived from Whitestown, which ought to contain 75 non-com- 
missioned officers and privates; it really contains only 36. 
Another from Paris, which ought to contain 52, really contains 
but 32. This will not be submitted to if we have any govern- 
ment. I have sent Col. Stone back to bring on every man liable 
to come that he can find, and I pray your Excellency to order a 
new draft to makeup the deficiency. It is hard and unjust that 
the men of these new counties, who marched at the word of com- 
mand should be thus treated. There is scarcely a man that was 
drafted from the counties of Lewis, Jefferson or St. Lawrence, 
either dead or sick. I am sending on the detachments as they 
arrive to St. Lawrence, and shall until I can make that county 
feel safe. I shall go there myself in a day or two. I am greatly 
in want of a quarter-master of brigade, competent to do his 
duty. I should much like Martin's aid — Capt. Safford I believe 
his name is — I know his conduct better than his name. 



Appendix. 5S9 

The officers of the regular army are attempting to enlist the 
dratted men. I have no objections if it is regular and the plea- 
sure of the commander-in-chief; but with my present impres- 
sions I shall not permit it unless my consent is asked, and that 
of my colonels, for I know of no authority that any officer in the 
regular service has to command me, or those under my command, 
short of a general. On this subject, I pray your Excellency to 
instruct me specifically, for I wish to go straight, particularly on 
these subjects, and I shall expect your Excellency to point the 
road. It shall be traveled. 

Yours sincerely, Jacob Brown, Brigadier General. 
His Excellency, D. D. Tompkins. 

Albany, July 10. 1812. 
Dear Sir: Mr. Thomas leaves this to-morrow morning, for the 
purpose of attending to the business of Mr. Goodsee, and enquir- 
ing into the complaints. A copy of the contract he takes with 
him, which will show you what are the rights of the contractor 
and of the officers respectively. I perceive by your letter to 
Mather and Thorne, you mention that, perhaps, one thousand 
troops will be at Ogdensburgh. If so, I am fearful that you are 
concentrating, at that point, a greater force than will be neces- 
sary for mere protection, and beyond its relative proportion of 
the detachments. The towns along the river, towards St. 
Regis, must be attended to. I have this day forwarded one hun- 
dred muskets, to be deposited at Martinsburgh, with cartridge 
boxes, although I deem any fear there, as in the towns on the 
north part of that county, totally groundless. I have also sent 
two hundred and fifty muskets and ammunition, for defence of 
Rutland, Mexico, Scriba, &c, along the lake shore between 
Sackets Harbor and Oswego. I have also forwarded to Water- 
town, for the use of the St. Lawrence frontier and the troops in 
Jefferson, one hundred tents, fifty camp kettles, fyc, to be at your 
disposal. There are now lauding from sloops, seventy pieces of 
artillery, 18's, 12's and other calibre, which I expect will be for- 
warded on, when General Dearborn comes to this place. Allow 
me to remark, that a less number of men, with healthy accom- 
modations, good arms and ammunition, and vigilant officers to 
discipline them, are a more efficient protection than a greater 
number unaccommodated, straightened for provisions, and hud- 
dled together in confusion. Major General Van Rensselaer leaves 
this on Monday morning, for the frontier; but whether he will 
visit Niagara, or Black River first, I can not now say. 
I am, dear sir, your obedient servant, 
General Brown. Daniel D. Tompkins. 



590 Appendix. 

P. S. I confirm your acceptance of the services of Camp and 
his company. It appears to me that Bellinger's and Storr's re- 
giments will be a surplus expense for the Jefferson frontier, and 
as they are all under your command they are to be distributed as 
the whole frontier may require. I had rather Bellinger's corps 
should remain in Jefferson until their pay is sent on, which will 
be in a day or two. 

Sackets Harbor, August 4, 1812. 
Dear Sir: Samuel C. Kanady, Esq., of this county, from the 
encouragement which I have given him, has raised a company 
of riflemen, and wishes to be employed by the government in 
any service that may be necessary. He has proceeded under the 
act of 6th February, 1812, for raising fifty thousand volunteers. 
Neither Mr. Kanady or either of the officers under him have any 
commissions, and he is solicitous to know from your Excellency, 
whether it would be possible for them to get commissions, and 
have their services accepted. From my acquaintance with Mr. 
Kanady, I have the fullest confidence in his valor and patriotism, 
and I think he would do honor to the service. The other officers 
are Rufus Willard, Lieutenant; J. Eddy Cole, Ensign. Your 
Excellency will be pleased, with all convenient speed, to inform 
me of the course Mr. Kanady should pursue. He and his com- 
pany have signed the articles of association, according to the 
requirement of the act. They expect to be armed and equipped 
by the government. 

I remain yours, &c, 

Jacub Brown, Brig. Gen. 
His Excellency, the Governor. 

Sackets Harbor, August 5, 1812. 
Dear Sir: I have the pleasure of enclosing your Excellency 
an account, by an eye witness, of the action between the Julia, 
an American gun boat, and two British ships of war, an Earl 
and a Duke, aided by a land battery. The Julia is ordered to 
remain at Ogdensburgh, the better to secure our vessels in that 
harbor. Will the government of the United States furnish us with 
ordnance, so as to enable us to defend this place and the brig 
Oneida, against any force the enemy may bring against us, and 
to command the narrows of the St. Lawrence, until this govern- 
ment gets ready to make a descent upon Canada. The Royal 
George and Prince Regent are now cruising off this harbor. I 
expect to have difficulty with Colonel Bellinger's regiment, if it is 
not discharged at the expiration of the three months. Will your 
Excellency instruct me on this subject. I consider this the most 
important station on the lake, and it i? verv desirable that a 



Appendix. 59 1 

colonel of some military accomplishment, should be stationed 
here. Colonel Myers, of Herkimer, is the sort of a man I should 
prefer. By the advice of the Major General, I have kept Cap- 
tain Camp in the service. His company is disbanded, and I 
have given him a supply of men from Bellinger's regiment, to 
manage the cannon. This, I trust, will meet your Excellency's 
approbation. We want some companies of artillery very much. 
It is not proper, that those that have been drafted should be or- 
dered into the service along these lines. 

Yours, respectfully, 

Jacob Brown, Brig. Gen. 

P. S. The good of the service requires that Captain Camp's 
company should be paid off. Will your Excellency please order 
it to be done? I hope your Excellency will take some notice of 
Lieutenant Wells, and the gallant crew of the Julia. 

His Excellency, the Governor. 

Page 525. 

NEILS SZOLTERCKI VON SCHOULTZ. 

The melancholy fate of Von Schoultz excited the commisera- 
tion of an extended circle; and his conduct, from the time of his 
capture till the moment of his exit, was such as to heighten our 
esteem for his character. He plead guilty of the charges alleged 
against him, and made no effort to screen himself from the con- 
sequences into which betrayed confidence had led him. An ex- 
ile from unhappy Poland, a descendant from an ancient and 
noble family, and a witness of the oppression and tyranny of 
Russian despotism towards his native country, he was too easily 
led into a sympathy for the alleged sufferings of Canada; and, 
from his experience in military affairs, was entrusted with the 
expedition which came to a disastrous issue, near Prescott. He 
had landed in New York in 1836, and after visiting numerous 
places without a settled purpose, chance led him to the village 
of Salina, where he became engaged in some chemical researches. 

During the short period that intervened between his sentence 
and his execution, he employed himself in writing a vindication 
of his character, which closes with the following language: 
" Misrepresentation and deception led me to embrace a cause 
which I then believed just and righteous, but now find them the 
mere instigation of cowardly and designing demagogues. I 
could have been influenced by no motive but that love of liberty, 
that desire to resist oppression, which is innate in the heart of 
every true Pole. It is said I was led on by the hope of plunder; 
the promise of reward! What were their paltry acres, and 
their traitors' gold to me, who have more than enough of this 



592 Appendix. 

world's wealth, since I have lost every object with whom it would 
have been my joy to share it? We were told the people groaned 
under the rod of military despotism. Had I not seen in my native 
land the peasant in his held, aye and the noble in his hall, insulted, 
smitten to the earth, by a hireling soldiery? We were told that 
the people waited to receive us — that thousands would rally 
around our standard whenever it was unfurled in the land which we 
came to liberate. The indignation with which we were repelled 
from these shores, the united bravery of citizens and soldiers, is 
the best answer to the aspersion. * * * My trial is over; 
witnesses have been examined, and the evidence adduced against 
me is thought sufficient for my condemnation. In the eye of the 
world, my sentence will be considered just. Fallible man may 
err, but God knoweth the heart! A brigand! a pirate! these 
are hard names, which once would have aroused my soul lo in- 
dignation; but that time is past. * * * To-morrow, I am 
told, is the time fixed for my execution. I would that I could 
die a soldier's death! and yet it matters not. I rejoice I have 
iew who will bewail my fate — none who can feel humiliated by 
my ignominy. I have but a short very short time to prepare for 
that hour and make peace with the righteous being whom we 
have all offended. 

I shall dispose of my worldly effects so as to make the best 
reparation in my power for the evil I have unwittingly caused. 
To the families of the unfortunate men who were killed at 
Windmill Point, I leave a legacy, though they suffered from a 
chance shot of the militia, not, as has been said, from our cool 
and deliberate aim. I trust my memory will be cleared from 
the charge of inhumanity. I paid every possible attention to 
the wounded prisoners who fell in my power, and I placed sen- 
tries over the body of Lieutenant Johnson, a brave and gallant 
young officer, to protect him from indignity. I have one favor 
only to request; it is, that my poor remains may be delivered to 
a friend whom I will name, to be buried on his own estate. The 
British government, I trust, have too much generosity to refuse 
this trifling boon. May God forgive those whose evil councils 
have brought me to this untimely end; I will die in charity with 
all mankind. The miniature of my lost Therese, my first and only 
love, still rests upon my heart, and in this dark and solemn hour,' 
she seems to smile on me as she was wont in happier days. I 
pray that it may be buried with me!" 

He was 31 years of age. His father held a major's commis- 
sion at the battle of Warsaw, and he had himself arisen to the 
same rank. 



I NDEX. 



Aboriginal trans, remarks upon, 9; in Lc Pav, 
10; Houndsfield, Watertown, 11; Rodman, 
Adams, Ellisburgh, 12, 157; Rutland, 13. 

names, 15. 

Acnilniiiif, 378; Watertown, 202, 378; at. Ellis- 
burgh, 386; at Orleans. 388. 

Act, erecting Jefferson and Lewis Counties, 26. 

Adams, President, letter of, 4o:;. 

town of, 71; village, 74; centre, 75; 

North, 75; seminary, 75: library, 75. 

Address, to citizens of county, on embargo, 157; 
to President Monroe, 181; of Governor Clin- 
ton, 404. 

Agaric mineral, found in eaverns. 537. 

Agreement, between United States and Great 
Britain concerning vessels, 517. 

Agricultural, Insurance Company, 410. 

societies, town, S3. 408; statistics, 358 to 

361; county, 401; state, 407. 

Ai'l. to sufferers by fire at Watertown, 2*1 ; to 
Greeks. 20S; to Irish, 298. 

Alexandria, 79 ; Bay, 81, 221; Agricultural So- 
ciety, S3; 1'lessis. S2 ; Redwood, 82. 

ABen, E. ]>., president of Steamboat Co., 355. 

Attitudes of stations. W. and E. Rail Road, 331. 

American forces on lake, see Fleet, 

Amulet, Hebrew, account of. 14. 

Anderson, William, trial of, 523. 

Angerstt in, John Julius, purchase of, CI. 

Anthracite, 551. 

Anti-n nt movement in Philadelphia, 223. 

Antwerp, town of, 85; block house, 86; agency, 
87 ; formerly named Indian River, s7 : vil- 
lage, 87; Ox Bow, 91 : mines in, 93; library, 
94: distillery, 90; furnace. 90: millstone 
quarry, 93; Presbyterian Church. 570; As- 
sociate Reformed Church al Ox Bow, 571 ; 

, Company formed. 50; Morris, agent, 56; 

Moss Kent, agent. 57; he Pay. agent. 57; 
William II. Harrison, agent of. 59; names 
of trustees, 59; act for relief of. 59; J.N. 
Kottiers. agent, 00; see Constable, James, 
diary of, 152. 155. 

Apatite (phosphate of lime), 551. 

Appling, Major 1>.. battle of .Sandy Creek, 509. 

post office, 76. 

A pprentic s ; Mr. Fairbanks' system with, 573. 

Appropriation for defense of frontier, 519, 

Arcade at Watertown. 287. 

Area of the several towns south of Black River, 
see survey of, 04. 

Armistice, in August and September, 181Z, 466. 

Arms, sent to Champion, 460; to St. Lawrence 
County. 402; collected at Clayton, 520. 

Armstrong, (Jen. John, secretary of war, letter 
to, 474. 

Arsenal built at Watertown, 202, 401; robbed, 
520; sold. 262. 

Arli. '■inn ivrll. Watertown. 277. 

Articles of association, agricultural society, 402. 

■ of surrender at York, 484. 

AspiniuaU, Col., shares in battle of Sackets Har- 
bor, 486. 

Assembly Districts. 365, 306. 

Members of, 366. 

Associated Banks, 417. 

Associations, >•■>■ French Company, Antwerp 
Company, Religious Societies, Baptist, Con- 
gregational, I'niversalist. &e. 

Attach nt Sackets Harbor, 463. 

upon York. 477. 

Attornt y Gent ml. report of, on Penet's title, 211. 

Auction of cargo of Lord Nelson, incident, 400. 

Azurite (blue carb. of copper), 551 



Backus, Col., in command at Sackets Harbor, 
486; death of. 489. 

Bald Island, exploit near. 514. 

locality of tourmaline, 500. 

Banks chartered. 415 to 417; associated, 417; in- 
dividual. 418; Patriot, 628. 

Bank of Cfctrf/iape, 419. 

Bank of Watertown, 417 '. 

Baptist Association, 303; Missionary Societies, 
393; free Communion, 395: Free Will, S95. 

Barracks, built i>\ l». Noon. 473. 

Madison. 181. 

BarOeWs Voint, 137, 105. 

Hi i. sir, (it j of, proposed. See French Company. 

Battle. See York. Sackets Harbor, Plan. \c: of 
Chrysler's Field, Sandy Creek, \\ induiili. 

Bawdry, Dr.. agency of, 192. 

Bayard, Wm., see Penet's Square, 43. 

— purchased by. 58. 

Bay State, steamer, 354, 350. 

Beavers, account of. 53. 

Beebee's ( btton Factory. 279 j burned, 280. 

Bell, Wm., purchase of. 03. 

Belleville, village of, 159; academy, 385. 

Bellingi i; Col., stationed at Sackets Harbor, 177 f 
461, 580 to 592. 

his men discharged. 400. 

11, nedict, Amos, notice of, 420. 

Benedict, Col., called out with regiment, 410. 

Ilrthune. Dr., establishes church at Alexandria 
Biiv, 84. 

lui.u Society, Jefferson County, 305. 

Binsse, l>r. Jiohn, agency of, 61, 213. 

Biographical Notices, 419. 

Birdsi ni' limestone, 534 ; fossils, 634. 

Black Julius, 404. 

Bonaparte, Joseph (Count Survilliers). purchase 
by, 68; receives mortgage. 58; Raphmeau, his 
agent, 59; Dover, local agent, 60; motives for 
selling, 00; establishment at Natural bridge, 
304. 

Bonds, Pail Poad, 330, 335 

/;./,/. pits, several remains of. 13. 

Bostwick, Isaac W., agency of, 03,64, 72,229, 
249. 

Boundary, survey of, 68. 

Bounds of county altered, 28. 

Boutin, Henry, purchases at Long Falls, 61, 299. 

Bowlsby, L. N. rail road surveys by, 320. 

Boylston, Thomas, purchase, 01 ; sales, 02. 

Brady, Col. Hugh, stationed at S. Harbor, 1S2. 

Bradley, Key. Joshua, originates movement for 
academy, 385. 

Breakwater, at Cape Yincent, proposed, 116. 

Bridges, 73. 98, 131. 203, -10, 217, 237, 244,260, 
301, 314. 

Brigadi orders of landing at York. 477. 
British account of battle of S. Harbor, 492. 

Empire, steamer, 140. 356, 

Queen, steamer, 14o. 356. 

force on lake, see Fleet 

Brodhead, Charles C, surveys French Tract, 50; 

surveys number IV, 55. 
E. II., surveys canal extension. 3,17. 

Branson, Ethel, agency of, 234; notice of, 420. 

Dr. Isaac, purchase by, 234, 

Brown, Jacob, Major General, settles at Prown- 
ville, 97 ; road commissioner. 30S. 317: con- 
cerned in steam boat, 360; notice of, 420; 
letters of. 423, 424, 465, 467; testimonials to, 
427: commands frontier, 401: commands at 

Ogdensburgh, 468; at battle of Sackets Har- 
bor, iso: correspondence, 578 to 582, 
John, governor of R. I. tract, 01. 



594 



Index. 



Browne, Robert, purchase by, 62. 

Brownvillr, 95: strife for town meeting, 96; 
settlement, 97 ; early growth, 98: navigation 
of river, 99: steamer Brownviue, 99; Hospital 
at. 100; alarm of war, 100; village, 101 : trus- 
tees of, 101 : cotton company, 103; lead works, 
103; woolen factory burnt, 103: Dexter, 104; 
Limerick, 105; Perch river, 106; Moffatt- 
ville, 106; library, 106; religious societies, 106; 
seminary, 389. , ,. 

Blach River vallev, settlement of, '2.): sales. oO; 
navigation eoinpam. i'V falls of, 132: canal 
to Sackets Harbor, 1S5 : waterpower. 2*3, .4S ; 
road, 31b; (anal Company, 343: description 
of canal, 345; volume of river, 548; improve- 
ments suggested, 54N; freshets, 548. 

Association (Congregational;, 391. 

. Bank, 418. 

Association, Baptist 393. 

, Universalist, 395. 

Canal extension, 346, 347; steam boat 

company, 347. 

a highway, 34s. 

Conference, 391 : district, 391 ; circuit, 392. 

limestone, 535 ; fossils, 535 ; caverns in, 

■ Literary and Religious Institute, see Jef- 
ferson County Institute. 

Kail Road planned and abandoned, 338. 

. a d I'tici. Kail Koad organized. 339; mon- 
ey mav be borrowed. 342 : work begun, 342. 

. Tract, purchase of, 62 ; division of, 63; sur- 
vey of, 64. 

. village, Lockport. 238. 

JSIaeh Ji'ork village burnt, 501. 

Black Snake gunboat captured. 514,515. 

Blanc, Octave, surveys on R.R., 329, 339. 

Block Houses erected by inhabitants, 86, 100, 
108,193,202. See Sackets Harbor. 

Boats seized on St. Lawrence, 516. See Dixon, 
Gregory, &c. „ _ _ ,, 

Bucks Island, Fort Carlton, 21. See Carlton 
Island. 

Buffalo village burnt. 501. 

Burchanl, Rev. Jedcdiah, 76, 164, 386, 391. 

Burchard, Peleg, notice of, 42*. 

Jiitrinl Associations. See Cemetery Associations. 

Burial, of officers killed in the war at Sackets 
Harbor. 182. 

Burning of, Caroline, 519 ; of the Sir Robert 
Peel, 522 ; attempt at, of. steamer, 528. 

Burrvtlle Cascades, 240, 546. 

village of. 261. 

Cabinet, plan of campaign, in 1S13, 473, 497. 
Cable, carried on men's shoulders from Sandy 

Creek, 512. 
Cacoxene, locality of, 552. 
C.iiri r.nms saw/stone. 532: earths condition 

when formed. 533 ; fossils of, 533 ; extent, 534 ; 

features and soil of, 546. 
Odette (calcareous spar), 551; tufa, marl, satin 

CfcmpTlEnBna, agency of, 63. 210; patentee of 
islands 68, 69; concerned in steamers, 3o0, 
352. See 583, 591. 

Campaign, plan of, 473. 

Canada Boat Song, Moore, 670. 

Oinailu thistles, petition of supervisors, 32. 

Canals, Sackets Harbor. 185; company, 185: 
■\\dlf Island. 331 : Black River Company, 343 ; 
incorporated, 344; described, 345, 

Cannon, found on Isthmus of Point Peninsula, 
202. 

Cape Vincent, town of. 109: events of war, 113: 
vessels at, 115; Rail Koad Station, 115; Agri- 
cultural society. 409. ... 

Oirllnn, fort, see Fort Carlton: island, reserved 
by state, 51 : patented, 79; history of patent, 
109; proposed light at. lit'.; taken, 460. 

Caroline, steamer, burned, 519. 

Carthage, village of, 300; furnace. 300 : water 
power. 3o2: trustees, 303 ; bank of, 419. 

Cascade, at BurrvUle, 540. 

Castorland. See French Company. 

Castorvilie. See French Company, 53 ; road past, 
310. 

Cataract, steamer. 354. 

Oat Fish Creek, 1 13. 

tlitliolic Seminary, at La Fargoville, 213. 



Cuttle. Show, fhyst county, 404. 

Caulincourt, Louis Augustan de, purchased by, 

Caverns, in Black River limestone, 536. 
Cedar, timber, isolated locality of, 550. 
< 'thl. ration, first Fourth of July, 201 ; rail road, 

330. 
Oelestine (sulphate of strontia). 552. 
Ciiiittt rij Associations. Adams. 75: Dexter. 105; 

Muskelunge, 187,199: Felts Mills,238. 
1 1 nsus, of \\ atertowu, 1827, 277; Statistics of 

State and National. 357. 
Centn lot. See Philadelphia, 223. 

Centinel, Western, advertisement from, 120. 
Certificates, for land, practice of, 153; evils of, 

196. 
( essian of lands to the United States, 69. 
Champion, Gen. Henry, purchased by, 63, 64, 

131. 173: letter of, 134. 
Champion, town of. 119 : letter of Judge Hub- 
bard. 121 : Great Bend. 131 : West Carthage, 

132 : arms to be sent to, 460. 
Chalccdite (cacoxene), 552. 
Chandler, Brigadier General, arrives at Sackets 

Harbor, 470. 
Charlevoix, remark of. on flux of waters in 

lake. 549: letter of, 563. 
Charles and Ann, schooner, changed to Gov- 
ernor Tompkins, 467. 
Charlotte, two schooners, in patriot service, 524. 
Chaumont, first settlement of. 200; village, 204: 

fisheries. 206. 
Chauncey, Commodore Isaac, cruise in the fall 

of 1812. 469; in attack on York, 480; quells 

riot. 508. 

, Lieutenant W., fires naval stores, 4SS- 

Chazy limestone, 533. 

Cherry Island patented, 69. 

ChemreuC, Isleau. see Fort Carlton, 21. 

ChiM lost in the woods, 175. 

Chippewa, frigate, at Storrs' Harbor, 183„ 

Chlorite, 552. 

Chloroform discovered by Dr. Guthrie. 431. 

( 'hnlrr'a, expenses of, 35 : notice of, 401. 

Cliondrodite, locality of, 552. 

Chrysler's Field, battle of, 506. 

Cirn, it jwlges. 368. 

Circuits of Methodist Church, 392. 

Citizens' Hank. 418. 

Clark, Jason, agency of, 61. 

Clayton, town of, 125: Depauville, 143; see 

Black River and Utica Rail Road; patriots 

rally at, 520. 
Chassanis, Peter, purchase of, 45; death of, 55; 

see French Company. 
Clerks, list of county, 367. 
( leries office built. 32. 
( 'linton, De Witt, address by, 404. 
Cockburn, survey by. 55, 61. 
CoUamer, superintendent of rail road, 832. 
Colin-tors of customs at Sackets Harbor, 1S4. 

at Cape Vincent. 114. 

Collector, schooner, changed to Pert, 467. 
Collins, General Oliver, calls out the militia, 616. 
ColgullOUn, Patrick, purchase of, 45. 

. proposals of, 116. 

Columbia Street, former name of. Arsenal Street, 
461. 

Commerce of Sackets Harbor, 1S4; of lake, 351. 

Commissioners of loans, 370. 

. to perform the duties of judge, 369. 

to locate county buildings, 29 : al Indian 

treaty. 39; of land "office. 41.42: of boundary, 
OX; Black River navigation co., 99. See roads. 

Committees, rail road. 339, &c 

Commodore Barrie, steamer, return of prisoners 
in, 527. 

Companies. See plank roads, turnpikes, steam 
boats, rail roads, banks. &c. 

Company, French. See French company, Ant- 
werp company, &c. _..„, 

Confession of robbery, extorted from Whittle- 
sey, 266. 

Conftance, British name of schooner Growler, 
r.iii 

Congregational association, 391. 

Congress, members of, 365. 

ship, crew of sent to lakes, 514. 

Congressional Districts, 365. 

Constable, James, agent of Wm. C, 02 ; an cxe- 



Index. 



59i 



cutor of his brother's estate, 63; diary of, 14S, 
196. 

Constat le, William, purchase of, 41; sells to 
Chassutiis, 45 ; propositions with Lord Pult- 
ney. 56; sells to Antwerp company, .',0: sells 
toward, 61; subsequent sales, 61 ; lands re- 
conveyed to, 62; sells Black River tract, 62; 
executors of estate of, 63. 

Contractors on rail mads, 330. 

Cooper. Abram, purchase by, 57. 

J. Fennimore, remarks of, on cruise of 

Chauncey, 471. 

Copper pyrites, 552. 

Corals, fossil of Black River limestone, 535,530; 
of Trenton Limestone, 539, 540. 

( brnt It", steamer, on Black River, 344 ; incident, 
344. 

Cm-' inns, 369. 

Corporatums of Utica and Rome may borrow 
money fur rail roads. ".42. 

Com. large yields of, 151. 

Cotton factories, Brownville, 102 ; Watertown, 
28l; Beel,ec's.279. 

Council of War. 475, 49S, 502. 

County offices, lists of, 307-370. 

seat, commissioners for locating, 29. 

Counties, previous to Jefferson, 25; act erecting, 
26 ; bounds altered. 28 ; county buildings, see 
court house, jail. &c. 

Courts, record of, 30; account of first, 36; first 
judges of, 37. 

Court house, tax fur. 31: built, 31; injured by 
fire, 32; burned, 32: rebuilt, 33. 

Court martial, for trial of patriots, 525, 527. 

Cranberry Creek, engagement at, 79, 494; Bri- 
tish account of. 485. 

Crane, I. V.'.. surveys rail road, 329. 

Crary, Joseph, surveys by, 229, 306. 

Crowe, l>r. Ithamer B., notice of, 428. 

Criminal Convictions, first, 37. 

Oross-over-island, light house. 210. 

Cubieres, marquis de. See Penet's Square, 43. 

' urves on W. and R. rail road, table of, 331. 

Custom Bouses, 81, 114, 154, 184. 

Cylindrical structure of sandstone, 531. 

Daughters of Temperance, 413. 

Dearborn, General 11. command of frontier given 
to. 473 : arrives at Sackets Harbor, 474 ; letter 
to Sec. of War, 474, 470. 

Defense of Sackets Harbor, 403. 

jiif, rases, military. See Block nouses, Sackets 
Harbor, &c 

Defiance of embargo law, 150, 458. 

Defin . attempts to burn steamer. 528. 

Dela Barre, expedition of, 17; speech of, 18 ; re- 
turns to Montreal. 20. 

J>' legates to constitutional convention, 366. 

Deli mater, Henry A., agency of, 200. 

Depau, Francis. See Penefs Square, 44; pur- 
chase in Alexandria, 58. 

Depaumlle, village of, 14.",. 

Depots at Cape Vincent, 115; W. and R. rail 
road. 332. 

Descent of Black River between falls and Car- 
thage, 346. 

Deserter shot in Orleans, 214. 

//, • , Hums, executions for, 179. 

n \furneaux, General, purchase by. 58. 

Desjardines, Simon. See Penet's Square, 43; 

student, erects powder mill. 192. 

Ji, W.itereille, part of regiment taken, 502. 

Dewey, Timothy, notice of, 429. 

William, rail road survey by, 320; articles 

written by, 327 : note. 576. 

De Wolf, diaries Michael. 51',. 

Dexter, village of, 104 ; appropriations for piers 
at. 185. 

Diana, schooner changed to Hamilton, 467. 

/liar// of .lames Constable, 14s. 

Dimock, Captain, privateering cruise, 494. 

Diseases, notice of, 400. 

Distances, early report on, 311. 

District Attorneys, 369. 

Districts, collection. See Custom Houses. 

Methodist. 392. 

Division of Counties, 25. 

Dixon. Samuel, privateering cruise. 494. 514. 515. 

Dodge, Gen. R., to re-enforce Sackets Harbor, 
466; takes command at Sackets Harbor, 408. 



Dole, James, agency of. 156. 

Dolomite, 552. 

Donation of lands to Sackets Harbor and Sara 

toga rail road, 338. 
DooUttle, George, Road Commissioner, 317. 
Doxtater, Robert 1!.. Superintendent rail road 

332: notice of, 429. 
Drafts of Militia, 461. 

Dragoon, incident with ship carpenters, 50S. 
Draper, Serjeant, killed. 113. 
Drift, de-posits of, 547 ; features. 547 ; agencies 

551. 
Drouth, notices of 154. 
Drummond, vessel captured, 502. 
Dubois, Bishop, founds a seminary, 213. 
Duel at Madison Barracks, ISO. 
Duki of Gloucester, sent to l'rescott, 404 ; cap 

tared at New York, 483. 
Duncan, John, agency of, 210. 
Duponceau, Peter S., agent of Count Survilliers 

58. 
Dutton, Rev. Nathaniel, 127, 133, 390. 

Earl Qf.Moira sent, to l'rescott, 464. 

Earthquakes, notices of, 550. 

Eckford, Henry, builder of Oneida, 458, 469 

475; quells not, 508 ; note on, 513. 
Eddy, Thomas, purchase of. 02. 
Edsat surveys Oswegatchie road, 310. 
Education Society, County. 397. 
Elections, special, 370; of Governor, 370. 
Electrical cause, suggested for veins in Trentoi 

limestone. 541. 
Elans. Presiding, Methodist. 392. 
/.'/. nations on Watertown .and Rome rail road 

331. 
Ellis, Lyman, settlement of. 140. 
- Marvel, purchase of, 02, 146; letter of 

147. 
Eii i si i a rgh. town of. 145; see Constable .lames 

diary of; Embargo troubles, 156; Mone; 

digging, 15^: sickness. 158: Ellis Tillage 

158 : Bellevnle, 159; Woodville. 100; Pierre 

pont Manor. 160; Mannsville, 160. 

Acadeinv. 385; Agricultural Society, 40S 

Ellis Village. 158. 

Embargo, incidents of. 89. 150, 458. 

Embezzlement of public money by Whittlesey 

203. 
Encampment, plan of, 503. 
English families at Sackets Harbor, 174. 

relics on Carlton Island, 22. 

Epidemics, notice of, 400. 

Epidote, 552. 

Epitaph of Major General Brown. 427. 

of J. Hawkins. 431; Colonel Kirby, 440 

E reef ion of several towns, 69. 

Esselstyn, Richard M., notice of. 430. 

Evans, Henry, hung for the murder of Rogen 

and Diamond, 101. 

. Musgrove, agency of. 202, 

Erans' Mills, village of, 192. 

B»ewfeofl837-40 ( 519. 

Execution of Evans, lol : Military, at Sacketi 

Harbor, 179: of patriots, 527. 
Ext m pts, see silver Greys. 
Expedition of patriots down St. Lawrence, 524. 
Experiment, schooner, changed to Growler, 407 
Explosion of furnace. 300. 

of magazine at York, 4S2. 

Express, steamer. 353; line of boats, 355, 
Exit nsion of Black River Canal, 347. 

Fair, first agricultural. 404. 

Fairbanks, Jason, bail forWhittlesev, 263; not< 

on, 573. 
Famine, bay of. locality, 17; notice of, 173 

letter from. 563. 
Faeer<i>r. Charles L.. purchase of, 61. 
Features of the several rock formations, 545. 
Feldspar, 552. 
Felt, John, Felt's Mills named from, 238 ; sug 

gestion on lake ridges. 550. 
Felt's M ius, village of 237. 
Female S mi nary at Brownville, 389. 
Firry at Cape Vincent, 111; Sackets Harbor. 187 
Field's Settlement, 261. 
Fine, Hon. John, visits Kingston, 527. 
Finney. Rev. Charles G., 70, 100. 391. 
Fires, at Sackets Harbor, 186; Watertown, 284 



>96 



Index. 



'ish, kinds taken for market, 207. 
'ish Maud, locks at, 99. 

'isheries, 65, 106, 117, 162: at Chaumont, 205. 
Tat Rock, see Plessis, 82. 
'leet, American, on lake, fall of 1812, 469, 473; 
spring of 1813, 475. 476, 497 : in fall of 1813, 
6119: in 1814,507; sails for Niagara, 516; to 
be reduced to one vessel. 517. 

of vessels at Ogdensburgh, 4r,4. 

British, ..ii lake in the fall of 1812, 469; 

spring of 1813. 475; in 1814, 513. 
luor spar, 553. 
lux of waters on lake, 549. 
\mOeroy. M.de, sent to lay out Fort Carlton, 24. 
iinl, Augustus, note on. 471. 
— Nathan, letter to G Morris, 136.: letters 
on roads, 309, 310, 312. 313, 314. 316. 
Wges, at Antwerp, 90; at Sterling ville, 226; at 
Carthage, 300. 

brsyth, ('apt. Benjamin, arrives at S. liar., 466 ; 
affair of Gananoqui, 467; driven from Ogdens- 
burgh, 474: in attaek on York, 479. 
brt Carlton, 21; relies, 22; captured, 22; his- 
tory of, 23: plan of, 110: great natural 
strength of, 23 ; plan proposed by M. Levy, 24. 

Cliauncoy. 51 S. 

George, captured, 443; operations at, 500; 

garrisoned, 501. 
- — Pike, .".is. 

Tompkins, 485, 517. 

Virginia, 518. 

Volunteer. 485, 518. 

•jrtijkations, Indian, 9-15; at Six town Point, 
20, 166; on Carlton Island, see Fort Carlton; 
■i Saekets Harbor, lso. 

jssils of eaieifermis sandstone. 533; Chazy, 
533; l.irdseye. 534: Trenton limestone, 536; 
Utica slate, 543; borraine shales, 544. 
tster, Jabez, notice of, 430. 
nindry. Woodruff's, cut of, 286. 
tuntain at Watertown, 290; Artesian, 277. 
turner Association, 414. 
mrth qf July, tirst celebration, 201. 
i.r, cruise of, 494. 

ree Communion Baptist, yearly meeting, 395. 
resliets, in Black River, 548. 
rntrh, Abel, agencj Of, 234, 306. 
rench Creek, Indian fort at, 38, 136; settle- 
ment of, 137 ; Indian name of. 138 ; action of, 
505. 

rench, discoveries of. 15: De la Barre's expedi- 
tion. 17: conquest of, 20; fort on Six Town 
Point, 20; Fort Carlton. 21; occupy Sandv 
Creek. 21. 

rench Company, game, early notice of, 53; 
yield of crops. 53: advantages of location. 54: 
climate. ">4 : description of falls, 54; fisheries, 
55; death of Chassanis. 55 ; see Le Kay, settle- 
ment of, 121 : mad. see French road : articles 
of association of, 4c; titles to he given, 46; 
certificates how given, 46: payments, how to 
he made, 47; division of. 48; government of, 
48; hounds of. pi: agencies. 49: surveys, 50: 
instructions to surveyors, 61; settlement at 
High Falls, 51; Tillier, agent. 51; sales on 
tract, 51; romantic account from Crevecoeur's 
work, 51 ; reservation for cities, 51; Castor- 
ville. 53 ; account of several settlers, 53 ; early 
prices, 5:; ; beavers, 53. 
rim, h' Settlement. See Philadelphia. 

rii/ntes. New Orleans and Chippewa, 183. 
ronten "'. steamer. 352. 
rentier Bank, 418. 

niton. Livingston and. sec Ontario steamer. 
/(/■ trade, Canadian, route of. 128, 308. 
urnaces at Antwerp. 90; Carthage, 132, 300; 
Sterlinu'ville. 225; Theresa. 246; lined with 

Bandstone; 531. 

ainct, (Jen., commands at Saekets Harbor, 516. 
attoo Island, patent of. 69. 

.<-. wild, early notice of. 53. 
anonoqui, Forsyth's attaek of, 467; patriots' 

rallv near, 520. 
aranguta, speech of. 19. 

irnei I mineral), 563. 
arnet, Tom, tale or, 411. 

it Company, Watertown, 290. 

tnesce l'acket, sch'r, changed toConauest, 467. 



Geology, general observations, 529; classifica- 
tion, 530; gneiss, 530; primary rocks, 530; 
Potsdam sandstone, 531. 

Georgt Ctintou, steamer, 353. 

Gilbert, Marianus W., notice of, 430. 

Gill nets, recent "«e of. 206. 

Glass, quali'' uade at Redwood, 83 ; sand 

for. 531: t:„ ,ry at Redwood, 82. 

Gneiss, composition of. 530; extent of, 531. 

Goldsmid, John L.. notice of, 430. 

Goodale, L. .1.. purchase of, 58. 

Good Samaritans, 413. 

Goose Hay, affair of, 494; British account of, 
495. 

Governor Clinton, visits county, 404. 

Marcy visits county, 523 ; votes at each 

election for, 371. 

Grades, table of, W. and R. rail road, 331. 

Grant, .1. L. See W. and R. rail road, 332. 

Graphite, 553. 

Gray, Captain, death of. 48S. 

iii;,,t Bend, village of, 131 : early purchase of, 
132; Clarke's mill burnt, 132. 

Gregory, Lieutenant, adventures of. 514. 

Greeks, aid to, 398. 

Greene, Alpheus 8., notice of, 430. 

Greenleaf, James. See Penet's Square, 43,210. 

Grenadier Island patented, 69; sold to Post. 69; 
proposals for purchase, 116; AVilkinson's ren- 
dezvous at, 592. 

Gridley, Judge Philo. efforts of, to quiet patriot 
movements, 525. 526. 

Grindstone bland, patent of. 68, 142. 

I In mring, of rocks by drift agencies. 551. 

Growler, the experiment, 407 ; captured, 497; 
recaptured, 501. 

Grouchy, Emanuel Count de (Marshall), pur- 
chase by, 58. 

Guiltard, William, locates class right, on Carl- 
ton Island, 109. 

Gtdfi,ia Lorraine, 198. 

Gulf Stream in Rodman, 230. 

Guthrie, Dr. Samuel, notice of, 431. 

Hamilton, British name of schooner Julia, 501; 

American schooner Diana, changed to, 467. 

manufacturing company, 281. 

Hampton, General, plan of movements for, 497; 

506. 
Hammond, T. S., purchase by. 58. 
Harrison, Richard, a purchaser of Black River 

Tract. 62. 
General William II., arrives at Saekets 

Ilarhor, 506. 

William II., agency of, 59, 61. 

HassUr, V. R., 114. 
Hawkins, Joseph. 431. 

Samuel, boundary commissioner, 68. 

Health, boards of, cholera, expenses, 35, 276. 
Heavy Spar (sulphate ofbarytes), 553. 

Hebrew amulet, account of, 14. 

Hendt rson, 'William, purchase of, 62, 233. 

town of. 165; village. 168 ; Harbor, 1G8 ; 

Baptist Churchin, vote, 572. 

Henry hWp's Bank, 418. 

Herkimer, rail road from plan of, 338. 

Hickory Island, rally at. 520. 

High Falls, settlement at; see French company. 

J /it/It water in Lake Ontario, 549. 

Highways, rivers declared, 348. 

Historical compendium of Presbytery, 391. 

Hoare, Midshipman, killed. 51. 

Hoard, Sylvius, agency of, .87. 

Hoffman, Josiah Ogden, purchase of. 62. 

Holland purchase, clamor of title. 210. 

Hollow, Rutland, 240. 

//..//. v comb, petrified (so colled), a fossil coral, 
536. 

Hoosic tunnel, S. Harbor and S. R. R., depend- 
ant upon, 338. 

Hoover, ('apt. John, adventure of, 244. 

Hopkins, Jesse. 431. 

Hornblende, &bA; tremolite, anxphibole, diallage, 

pargasite. ,Vi4 : asbestus, 554. 
]1, minis Held, Ezra, purchase of, 63; notice of. 

172. 
llnn,i,hji,hl, town of, 171; English families at, 

174 : incident, 175. 

Hubbard, Aimer, captures fort Carlton, 462. 
Noadiah, letter of, 121 ; see Clayton, 137. 






Index. 



597 



Hudson Hirer shales, 544. 
Hungerford Bank, 41s. 

. Orville. president of mil road Co, o2S: 

notice i if. 435. 
Hungry Bay, see Bay of Famine. 
Hunter lodges, 519, 529. 
Huntington, Dyer, notice of. 435. 
Hydraulic power of Black River. 2*3. 002. 

7ce care, Watertown, 537. 

Idocrase, 555. 

/iii)ii-i:-:sihi ■ni. a tale of British, 471. 

Indian remains, 9-15; names of places. 15; 
speech. of Garangula, 19; treaty, 39; name 
of French creek, L38. 

Indian Hut Island, patented, 69. 

Indian River, earl] name of Antwerp. S7; ob- 
structions to be removed, 245 ; a highway, 
348. 

Individual banks, 41 S. 

Industrial Association. Jefferson County, 414. 

Xnfantry, 2d regiment organized, 182. 

Inhabitants, .statistics of, 357. 

Inman. William, purchase of. 45. 61, 62. 

Inscriptions, former, ou wooden monument, 183. 

Inspectors offish, 207. 

Insolvent commissioner, 369. 

Institute, Jeftersov County, 379, 385. 

Insuranct ' tympanies, Jefferson County, 419. 

■ Agricultural, 419. 

Internal improvements, 307- 

Irish, relief to, 398. 

Iron Mines. 557, to 560. 

Iron, ores of. 82,93; manganese mistaken for. 
153, i '.17.226. 

Irving, Washington, aid to Governor, arrives at 
Sockets Harbor, 516 

Island, ancient, suggested, 550. 

Isla rut Backet vessel burned, 462. 

Islands, title Of, 68; nol patented till survey of 
boundary, 68; certain, ceded to United States, 
69; belonging to lloundstield, 187. 

Izard, General, arrives at Sockets Harbor, 516. 

Jack Downing, steamer, 353. 

Jail, in Court House, 31; built separate, 33; 
enlarged. 33. 

liberties, singular plan of, 31 ; statute 

concerning. 32. 

Jefferson revenue cutter, 518, 

j'jl. rson Countu Agricultural Society, 401; arti- 
cles of association, 402. 

Bank. 415. 

Industrial Association. 414. 

Institute, organized. 379; report. 380; 

opened, 381 ; name changed, 3S2 ; statistics, 
385. 

Jenne. I). C, surveys of rail road by, 339. 

Jenny hind, steamer, 355, 

John Marshall, steamer. 353. 

Johnston. 'William, concerned in burning the 
Peel, 522: notice of, 522; pursued, 524, 525. 

Johnstown, road to, 317. 

Jones, Brig, 508. 

Jnuliu, Pierre Charles, agency of, 191. 

Journey, diary of. See James Constable. 

Judges, county. 368. 

Jnlol. Madame ('., purchase by, 58. 

Julnivillv. village of. 216, 

Julia, schooner, affair of, 405: captured. 497: 
recaptured, 501 ; named Hamilton by British, 
501. 

Justices, assistant. 36S; of sessions, 369; one on 
Carlton Island, 111. 

Katurokouy, American, 52, 54. 
iron inn" . 93. 

Kent, Moss, agent of Antwerp company, 57; for 
Le Ray, 191. 

Kemble, Peter, purchase of, 63, 173. 

Keyes, Perley, notice of, 436; bail for Whittle- 
sey. 263. 

King's garden, on Carlton Island, 110. 

Kingston, proposed attack on, 473, 474,475,497. 

Kirby, Col. Edmund, notice of, 439. 

Knights of Jericho, 413. 

Labradorite (opalescent feldspar), 656. 

Lady Gore, vessel captured. 502. 

Lady Murray, schooner captured, 493. 

La large, John, see Penet's Square, 44, 212, 213 ; 

38 



buys land of Count Survilliers, 60 ; of Ant- 
werp company, 61. 

La /''//. riY/,. village of. 213. 

Lake Ontario, extent, 548 ; stages of water. 548 ; 
waterspouts, 549: mirage, 549; ancient ex- 
tent of, 549. 

Lakes, in Theresa. 246. 

La Mm,,,, missionary, notice of. 17. 

Land commissioners' office, created, 41: convev 
to Macomb, 41 ; convey islands, r.S. 

Land office, Le Ray's, 192. 

LazelU, Rev. E., an earh missionary, 231, 291, 
390. 

Lead, veins of, in Trenton limestone, 541. 

Lead works, Brownville, 103. 

Leases, in perpetuity, attempted, 218. 222. 

Le Hay. town of, 190; incident, 191; office at, 
192; Evan's mills, 192; pine plains, 193; 
monthly meeting, -2-'. 395. 

— Ja mes l>.. sales by, 55, 57: purchase by, 
ob, or, settlement of estate of. 60; incident, 
114: settles at Le Eaysville, 192; petition for 
" : ''•■ ?J ■-;■: iiinpik:.. sgricuhiaal society ,. 
&c.; notice of, 441; canal lean. 445; agricul- 
true. 446. 

Vincent, purchases by, 61. 

Le Ii'aysrilh: property of Le Ray at, 60. 
/•- Roy, Herman, see Penet's Bquare, 43; pur- 
chases in number I\ .. 58. 
Lett, attempts to burn steamer, 528. 
L( Tonelier, John S., claim of, 210. 
/.. vasseur, French shipwright, to be sent to fort 

Carlton. 24. 
L, rii. Chevalier, plan of, for fortifying the St. 

Lawrence. 24. 
Lewis, Gen. .Morgan, arrives at Saekets Harbor. 

494. 
/.,>,'/'«. former bounds of, 70. 248. 299 
Libraries, social. 7.\ s:;. Int.. lis. 132, 102, 169, 

187, 193, 227. 241. 290, 304, 3S8. 
License, votes < n, 371. 
Light Houses, cession of lands for. 09: sunken 

rock, si ; Tibbets Point, 116; in Iloundslield. 

1S5, 187 : Rock Island, 214. 
Limerick, \illage of. 105. 
Limestone, (hazy. 533; birdseye, 534; Black 

Liver, 535; Trenton, 539: features and soil 

of, 546. 
Limonit (bog iron ore). 555. 
Link in the Chain, quotation from articles en- 
titled. 252. 
Litchfield company formed at. 306. 
Lithic paint, manufacture of, 554 ; TJtica slate 

used for, 543. 
Livingston, Robert F., rail road surveys by. 326, 

339. 
Livingston and Fulton. See Ontario steamer. 
Loan I'uininifsioncrs, 370. 
Lockport. See Black Liver village, 238. 
Lodges. See Masons, Odd Fellows. Hunter 

Lodges, 
Log Mills, former name of La Fargeville, 213. 
Long Foils. Bee Carthage. Black Liver, &e. 
Long Island. See Wolf Island. 
Lord Nelson, schooner seized and condemned 

460: changed to Scourge. 400. 
Lord, William, resolutions on rail road bv. 328. 
Lorraine, town of. 195 : Constables Journal, 

196; Sliver Grays, 198 ; gulfs, 198. 
Lorraine Shales, 198, 544: fossils, 544; features 

and soil of, 545. 
Loss of child in woods, 175. See Watertown, 

252. 
Lottery for state road, 315. 316. 
Low, Nicholas, purchase of, 62; Sales by, 154. 
Low wall r in Lake Ontario. 549. 
Luce, \ inal, concerned on Penet's Sauare, 212. 
Lumber trade, 81, 112. 137, 141. 
Lusher. Kri. concerned in steam boats, 350. 
L/uthi eons, societies of, 395. 
Lyme, town of, 199; roads. 208; bridge, 203; 

Three Mile Bay, 204; fisheries, 206. 
Lynch Law applied to Whittlesey, 263. 
Lyon. Caleb, of Lyonsdalc, poeni on Thousand 

Islands, 569. 

Macedonian, crew of, sent to lake, 513. 
Maiondi. Alexander, purchase of, 41: area of, 

44; tracts of. 44: Jane, wife of, releases lands, 

56. See Constable, William. 



598 



Index. 



Macomb, General A., sent to northern frontier, 

524. 
Madison Barracks at Sockets Harbor, 1S1, 517, 
Magazine al York, explosion of. 482. 
Magnetite (magnetic iron ore), 555. 
jl/i?/7 line of steamers, 355. 
Malachite (green carb copper), 555. 
maneuvers, indecisive of fleet, 501. 
Manganese, oxyde of, noticed, 153, 197. 
MannsviUie, 160. 

Manufactories, of machinery, Ac., 282. 
Marble, in Antwerp. 'J4. 
Marc;/. Governor, visits county, 523. 
Marselis, Arent first surveyor of county, 38. 
Martha Oiiden. steamer, wrecked, 352. 
Martin. Gen. W., road commissioner, 317. 
Mary Ann, vessel, captured, 502. 
Masonic, associations, 409. 
Masse:/. Hart, notice of, 447; letter of. 459. 

■ Solon, author of Link in the Chain, 252. 

Manufactures, statistii s of, 358, 301. 

McAUaster, Wm., agency of, 87. 

MeOormick, Daniel, purchase of, 41 : concerned 

in conveyances, 63, G4; title to islands, I 8. 
McDoneU, brings back patriot prisoners, 527. 
McEvers, .1 times, see Penet's Square, 43. 
McKenzve. patriot leader, 520, 
McNubb, Sir Allen, procures rail road subscrip- 
tions in London, 327. 
McNeil, Henry, road commissioner, 317. 
McNitt, ('apt, Samuel. 407, 4S7. 
McPherson, ('apt., in affair at French Creek, 506. 
Mc\ iekar, John, an executor ol'W. Constable's 

estate. 63. 
Mechanics' bank, 418. 

. protections, 414. 

Medal, presented to Gen. Brown, 426. 

Medical societies. Jefferson county, 399; list of 

members, 399; notices, 400. 
Mo-lhi i. to discourage patriot movements, 525, 

526,527. 

rail road, 338. 339: sec W. & K. R., &C. 

Members, of Congress. :w,:>\ of Assembly, 366. 

Merchants' Exchange Bank, 418. 

Merchants' Ksehaniie. Watertown, 289. 

Merritt, David, narrative of child List. 175. 

Metalic veins, in Trenton limestone, 541. 

Meteorological table, 561. 

Methodist Episcopal societies. 3D1 ; conference, 

391; districts, 392; circuits, 392; presiding 

elders, 392. 

Mexi bounds of in 1 son, 70. 

Militia, drafts of, 461, 500, 516, 521. 

Mil tarn oy.v rations at Sackets Harbor, 19 

. school, proposed at Sackets Harbor, 182. 

road, 79,319. 

Miller, Asher, agency of. 63, 233. 

, M. S„ agency" of. 63, 249, 

Mill' rite (sulphuret of nickel), 555. 

Mills, Colonel John, notice of burial, 1 83. 

U ill slimes, quarries of, 93. 

Mineral localities, 551. 

Mines, iron, in Antwerp. 93: in Philadelphia, 

206: near Natural Bridge, 304. 
Mirage cm Lake Ontario, 549. 
M issmuarii s, early, 390; societies for sending, 

390. 
Moj/atteille. village of, 106. 
Mohawk, vessel, 508. 
Money, digging, in F.llisburgh. 15S. 
Money stolenby Whittlesey, 263. 
Monopoly of steamboats, see Ontario steamer. 
Monroe, tour of President, 181. 
Monument proposed to the memory of Tike and 

others, W2, 

Moore. Thomas, Canadian Boat Song, 

Moore, Killed al Cape v.. 118. 

Morris and Hammond mail. 79, 319. 

Morris. Gouverneur, agent of Antwerp Com- 

pany, 56: incident of journey, 114; concern- 

mg roads, 31 1,314, 319. 
Morris, Lewis 11., purchase bv, 57; undertakes 

to settle Antwerp, 87. 
Mortars, rude wooden. 125, 147. 
Mnmlie (sulphuret of iron), 555. 
Munitions removed from Bandy Creek, 512. 
Muscovite (mica of granites), 556. 
Murder of Rogers and Diamond, 100; of White 

family, L43. 
Myers, C. li., visits Kingston, 527. 



Names, Indian, of places, 15. 

of towns, given by proprietors, 70. 

Naptha.1 556 

Nativity of citizens, statistics of, 360, 301. 

Natural Bridge, village of, 304. 

Navigation of Black River, 99, 347. 

, dangers Of lake, lol. 

Neptune, cruise of, 494. 

Nets, varieties used, 205, 206. 

Newark Village burned, 501. 

New Jerusalem. Church of, 170. 

New Orlians. frigate, on stocks at Packets Har- 
bor. 1S3, 517. 

Newspapers, list of, 372: at Watertown, 373; 
Adams, 374. 377 ; Sackets Harbor, 377 ; The- 
resa. 37S; Carthage. 378. 

Ni w York, Company, see French Company. 

steamer. 354. 

Niagara, schooner, seizure of. 112,460. 

, steamer, 35^ ; fleet sails lor, 516. 

Niahoure, bay of, 172, 200. 

Nirernois. bay, 200. 

■Noble, Arthur, petition for road. 307. 

Non residents, clamor against, 210. 

Noon, Darby, builds barracks, 473. 

Northerner, steamer, 354. 

nail, ;/ . T. C. report, on Penet's Title, 211. 
Ocean Wave, burning of, 118, 355. 

Odd Felines, societies of. 412 

Officers, public, list of. 365. 

Vijdens. title of. in islands, OS; in Sackets Har- 
bor, 172: letters to, 310, 312. 314. 

Ogdensburgk, attack upon. 424. 468. 

Ogdensburgh, Clayton and Rome Ji. R., 341; 
resolutions of, 341 ; money may be borrowed 
for, 343. 

OgUine, John, British boundary com.. 68. 

Olive, Nicholas, see l'enet's Square, 43. 

Omar, village of. 214. 

Oneida, steamer. 353; brig, 177, 458. 

Oneidas, title and boundaries of. 38: treaty 
with, 39 ; at battle of Bandy Creek, 510. 

Ontario, tirst steamer, 34s ; cut of, 349: peti- 
tion concerning. 350; present steamer, 354. 

■ , schooner, seizure of, 112, 460. 

Organization ol county, 25, 130. 

Orleans, town of. 208: settled by squatters. 209; 
titles, 212: La Fargevillo, 213; seminary, 213; 
Stone Mills. 214: Omar, 214; Rock Island 
light. 214; academy, 388. 

Oswegatchie, claim of Indians, 3S ; road to, 
310, 317; a highway, 34s. 

Oswego, steamer. 353; attempt to rescue pro- 
perty at the port of, 459. 

Paddock, John, notice of, 44S. 

Paint, lithie. 54:;, 554. 

l'ahconliilooy, objects of. 530. 

J'amelia. town of, 215; changed to Leander, and 

back, 215: village, 216; corners, 216; Ju- 

belville. 216. 
Panic among patriots. 521. 
Panther, encounter with, 80. 
Parish Iron Mine, 559. 
Parish, David, purchase by, 57; settlement of 

Antwerp. 87 ; builds bridge- at Carthage, 307. 
Parkinson, Mr., adventures of, 235. 
Pat, ill. See Macomb's, 41. &c. l'enet's, 42. 
J'atridr/e. Captain A., proposes to establish a 

military school, 1S2. 
Patriot War, 519. 
Peel, steamer, burned, 521. 
Pehegrin, French shipwright, to be sent to Fort 

Carlton, 24. 
Penet, IVter. stipulation in treaty for. 40: square 

laid out, 42: appoints Duncan his attorney, 

43; chain of title, 43; called Richland, 52; 

lumbering on, 137 ; squatters, 209, 
Penet. Peter, title investigated, 211; attorney 

general's report, 211. 
Penet. llippolvte. claims of, 210. 
Pensioners in 1840. 362. 

Perch River, alarm of war at, 100; former sick- 
ness on, 105; channel improved, 105. 
B riodicals, list of, 372. 

J) rpetual Leases attempted, 222. 
Petrified honey-comb, so called, a fossil coral, 536. 
Pharoux. Peter, death of, 50,62; his body found, 
51 ; tablet to his memory by Le Ray, 51. 



Index. 



599 



t% '/>■«. Matoon, <£ Barnes, rail road contractors, 
35, 33". 

Phelps, Rev. II., early missionary, 390. 

P/iuadelpnia, townofj 217; settled by Quakers, 
218; De Lanney's Mill, 225: Sterlingville, 225. 

Phlogapyte (mica of while limestone), 556. 

Phynn, John Johnson, conveyances Of, 02. 

Physicians, list of, members of county society, 
399. 

7V. ree, Lieutenant, discovers enemy, 510. 

i ' ". ,/• pont Manor, 160 ; rail road, celebration at, 
830. 

Pierrrjvml. Hcz.-kiah I'... purchase of, 03; an 
executor of W. C.'sestate, 63: patentee of sev- 
eral islands, li'.l ; nnti< e of. 44*. 

■ William C, title of, 63, 106; president of 

rail road, 330. 

Piers at Dexter, appropriations for, 185. 

Pike, Colonel Z. M., moves to Sockets Harbor, 
■474: brigade order of attack on York, 477; 
letter written, at request of, 470; death, 483; 
biographical note, monument proposed, 182. 

Piki . ship, equipped, 400. 

Pillar Point, 106. 

Pine Plains, extent of, 103, 237. 

PtonjOfFort Carlton, 110; nf fort on Sis Town 
Point, 100; of Wilkinson's encampment, 503. 

Plan of General Brown, for war in Canada, 425. 

J 'lank limih, list of, 322. 
villageof, 82. 

Plunder of the Peel, 521. 

Pneumonia, epidemic, 400. 

Point Salubrious, in Chaumont Bay, 201; fish- 
eries on, 206. 

Polishing, drift agencies, 557. 

Political, parties, strength of, 371; rancor du- 
ring war, 450. 

Poor House, erected, 34; removed, 34; present 
system, 35 : overseers of, 35. 

Pcpham, Captain, captured at Sandy Creek. 
511, 513. 

Population, statistics of, 357. 

Porter, General Peter B., boundary commission- 
er. 68. 

Port Putnam, in Cape Vincent, 111. 

Presiiytery, St. Lawrence, Watertown, 390 ; his- 
torical compendium, 391. 

PresCOtt) battle near. 524. 

Prest itiiiii, hi. apparent case of, 471. 

President, steamer. 353. 

Presiding elders, Methodist, 372. 

Press, newspaper, 372. 

Prevost, Sir George, arrives in Kingston, 474; 
attack on Sackets Harbor, 4s.i. 

Prices, early, of grain and cattle, 53, 54. 

Primary rocks, 530, 547. 

Prisoners, maintenance of, 33. 

of Peel, trial of, 523 ; patriot. 527. 

patriot, sent to Sackets Harbor, 527. 

Privateering, on St, Lawrence, 494. 

Proclamation, of Gov. Marcy, 52:;. 

Propellers, lines of, 356. 

Property, seized during the war, 45S. 

J'tililir officers, list of. 365. 

Pulpit rock, notice of, 92. 

Pultney, propositions for purchase, 56. 

Pursuit of those concerned in burning the Peel, 
524. 

Pyroxene, 556. 

Quaker Settlement, village of, 217. 

Quartz, localities of, 556. 

QuUliard, Claudius S., agency of, 300. 

Pail Roads, see Watertown and Home 324 ; 
Sackets Harborand Kllisburgh, 334; Sackets 
Harbor and Saratoga, 397 ; Potsdam and Wa- 
tertown, 335, &c. 

Ravines in Lorraine shales, 198. 

Redw od, village of, 82. 

Rescue, of property seized under embargo, 458. 

Revenue Gutter, Jefferson. 518. 

j;, rivals, religious, 391. See the several towns. 

./.'> volutionary pensioners. 362. 

Reward offered for plunderers of Peel, 523. 

Rich, Jairus. encounter with panther. 80. 

Richardson, William, a class n-ht issued to, 109. 

Ridges, lake, 549; height of, 549; William Dew- 
ey's remarks on. 549; curious occurrence of 
rod uudar, 550 ; queries, 550. 



Riotof ship carpenters, 50S. 

/ ppl marls in sandstone, 531. 

Buersdei lared highways, 34s. 

Rojds, petition for, in 1791, 307; in 1801, 128. 
See letters to Ford. Sage, Ogden, Brown. Mor- 
ris, Ac., lotteries for, 315, 316; com'rs, 318-9 ; 
Morris and Hammond, 310. See turnpikes, 
plank roads, rail roads, ie. 

French, 07. 142. 308. 

Robb ry of arsenal, 520. 

of public money bv Whittlesey, 263. 

Rochester steamer, 353,354. 

/:,,,■/. s. elassiticalion of, see (ieology, 530. 

Jx'.,r/.- hi, i, i, I li-ht-honse, 214. ' 

Rodman, town of, 22S: village, 230; seminary, 
230;Zoar, 230; Whitesville,231; note, 572. 

Rome, so.- roads: rail road project, 339. 

corporation, may borrow monej , -".42. 

-' sseei I ' i ph, agen v c. ; ' I 'ansli estat; in Ant- 
werp,88. 

Rottu rs. John X.. agent of Antwerp Co., 60. 

Junius surveyed for canal. 347. 

Rural HM, 159. 

Rutland, town of. 232; agencies, 234: incidents, 
235; wrestling, 2M0; company of exempts. 
230; Felt's Mills, 2:'.S; 'IMm ilk-. 2::s : factory, 
39; Black River Village, 238; school;:. 239; 
Hollow, 240,551; Burrville cascades, 240,556. 

Sabbath School Union, 390. 

Union, Jefferson county. 396. 

Socket, Augustus, 157, 172; notice, 451. 
Sir!;, Is llarlxtr Bank, 417. 

district of. 184 

- — —an. I Kllisburgh rail road, 334-5, 

and Saratoga rail road, 337. 

village, settled. 174, 170: defenseof, 177; 

importance in war. ITS ; executions at 170; 

incident, 179 ; Monroe's visit, 181 j duel, 180; 

barracks. 1M ; vessels at. 183: canal. 185; lire. 

101 h;it:r 18( fen y, 18? union school 

187; library. 1*7; Y. 31. Asso., 188; in war, 

485 to 517. 
Sage, Nathan, letter on road, 312; com'r, 317. 
Salmon River, road to, 312. 
Saltworks, road from. 312, 318. 
Sandstone, Potsdam, 531; calciferous, 582. 
Sandy < ¥eek, French post at. 21 ; battle of, 157 ; 

mouth of. 161 : marshes, lt.il ; wrecks at, 161; 

survey of. 102: battle of 509. 
Satin spar, localities of. 552. 
Scalp found in legislative hall at York. 4S:j. 
Scapolite, 556, 
Schools, superintendents of, 397; free, tax for, 

398. 

military, proposed at Sackets Harbor, 182. 

lot in Philadelphia, 210. 

Schooners, Niagara and Ontario seized, 112, 
Schuyh r. Pour, road commissioner, ".17. 

Philip, concerned in 1'enet Square, 212, 

Scourge, schooner, Lord Nelson, 400. 

Scriba, George, purchase of, 63. 

Societies, religious, see each town; see religious 

societies. 

1 ry rock, 530. 
,s cret , fit, ditions against Sackets Harbor, 493, 

507. 

societies, 409; patriot. 519. 
, v in, fishi ries, see fisheries. 205. 
Seizure of property under embargo, 458. 

. Earl of, purchase of, 68. 
Seminary, Adams, 75; Brown ville, 388 : Cath- 
olic, at La Fargeville. 213; Kodman. 230. 
Serpentina 
.S'-in!, 1 ! I'm, llavlisis. Adams, 77. 7*: Hcunds- 

Beld, 189. 
S wall, Henry D., factory of Hamilton Co.. £81. 
Seymour. David, agent for making road, 316. 
Shales, Lorraine, 544. 
Sheaffe, General, commands at York, 483. 
N terriffi, Ji.-t of, 367. 
Ship-building, 115. 141, 204. 205. 
Ships, at Sackets Harbor. 183. 
Sit pc irpt nttrs, incident with, 508. 
Sluiemaker, Abram, expli it 1 f, 515. 
Si,-!, a, ss prevailing, so, 147, 150. 15S, 201, 221, 

400. 
Silver Grays, companies of exempts, in Adams, 

74: Kllisburgh, 157; Lorraine, 10b ; Rodman 

230; .Rutland. 230. 



600 



Index. 



Sir 'Robert l'r/l. steamer, burned. 521, to 524. 

Six Town Point, trace ofaworki n,20; plan,loo. 

Skeletons, Indian, of great size, 13. 

,S7«/(. Ctiea, 543; featurfa ami soil of, o4o. 

Slept of primary rocks, 547. 

Smith, Charles, rail road survey by, 329. 

Jesse, 75, 229. 

Jonas, agency of, 200. 

. William, receiverfbr Penet Square, 212; 

aid in vail road acknowledged, 326. 

William Stevens, to locate lauds for Lord 

Pultney, 561. 

Smith's cantonment, 518. 

Smith's Mills, see Adams, 73. 

SmithviUe, 78. . 

Smuggling during the war, S9 ; facilities for, in 
winter. 459. T 

Smyth, Charles, patentee of part of Carlton Is- 
land. 109; concerned in steamboat, 350. 

Sm > ' Librarns. see libraries, social. 

tint of I be several rucks. 532. . 

Sons i'f temperance, divisions of. 113. 

Sophia, vessel burned, 462. . 

»■«(-, liev. David, an early missionary, l^o, 
231, 390, , , ___ 

Specular Iron, 557 ; geological place of, 5o< ; 
mines. 557, 558. 

■Sfaencer, Joshua A., efforts of, to quiet patriot 
questions, 525, 526. 

Spilsbury, Capt,, captured at Sandy Creek, 611, 
513. 

>/-/; ft . . gun boat, captured, 494. 

Splu ,<■ . 51 0. 

^iwfters on Penet Square, 209. 

St. Domiii'iH. settlers from, 53, 54, 

<SV. Lawrence River, importance of, 2o, o4b; 
steamers, 353. See Thousand [sles. 

(SS. Vincent de Paul, seminary. 213. 

State Sank at Sockets Harbor, 419. 

,v,,<. AW/s. 203. SocOswcgatcliie.obl to 319. 

Stations on Watertown and Home rail road, oo2, 
333; elevations of, 331. 

Statistiivoi Watertown and Rome rail road. 33] : 
of Potsdam and Watertown rail road, 336; 
from censuses, 35V : of academies, 385, 388. 

Simmers \meri-aii liiv.se' il -is far. ; 'i i. 
356: attempt to fire Great Britain. o'2S; Rrown- 
ville, 93 : « >cean Wave burnt, US : at Clayton, 
141; Cornelia, 344. , . 

Skamhiuit rmiipuiiirs, Black River, 347 ; Ontario, 
349: St. Lawrence. 354; Ontario and St. Law- 
rence. 352 : success of, 355. See steamers. 

Sh rliii'i iron mini; 93. 

Sterling, Micah, notice of, 452. 

SteriirigvMe, village and iron works. 225. 

Steuben, Baron, petition for road, 307. 

,\ i',-/. mi/, Col. Paul, militia drawn from regiment 
of. 458. . .„„ 

Stocks to 1 rected in Lorraine. 195. 

,\ ockina, Samuel, purchase of, 61. 

Stone MM*, village of, 214. 

Stom quarries, at Chaumont village, 205. 

Shmv tsland, patented, 69. 

Stony Point, wreck of steamer near. .,o2. 

S'o»r*,Lemuel,pu.chaseof, 634, 120,121,131,173. 

Slow, Silas, agencv of. 03. 173, 229; road com- 
missioner. 319; vote of, 461. 

Saltan. Turkish compliment of. to Eckford, 513. 

Sunken Hock, light-house on, 81. 

Superintendents of schools. 397. 

Superior, armed frigate, 508. , 

Supervisors, Brsf meeting of, 30 : doings of, 30, 
36; lists of, see the first paragraphs in the 
several town--, time of meeting, 37. 

Snrrnxti-r of York, terms of. 4S4. 

Surrogates, list of, 367. 

(Surveys, first, 38; of Macomb's purchase. 42; 
ofFrench lands, 50; Cockhurn's 55 ; oftract 

No. IV. Van Allen's. 57: of B. Wright, 04; of 

Crary, 306. See Kail Road, &c. 
Surveyors of French lands. 50; oftract No. IV, 

56;of Black River Tract, 64. 
SurvMiers, Count. (Joseph Bonaparte), 60. 
Swedenborgians, society of, 170. 

, statistical rail road. :;:'.l : census. 3oi,359, 

8 o. 86] : of academies, 385, 388. 
Talc, localities of, i 0. 
2h», see county buildings, bridges ; petition rot 

academy, 388; for schools, 3US; general iu 

war, 497. 



Taylor 


Rev. John, early missionary. 70, 390. 


Telegr 


/ ' . lines of, 3 13 . steamers, 353. 


2\ iiij'* i 


... ., iety, county, 396, 397. 


Ten i 


. i zbert, notice of, 452. 


Terra* 


i of limesti me n tcs - S45 


Vim ' ■ 


■ i . i i . Catholic 213. 


ll„r,f 


r, town of, 243: incident, 244- village, 


2 l"> ' 


falls, 245; farm ee, 2-10: lakes. 246. 


Thousi 


nd Islands, scener] of, 81, 141; church 



of. 8 I : poetrj of, 569. 

Three Mik Bay, village of, 204 ; vessels built at, 

Tillu-in. (J.-orgc-. agency of. 150. 

Tilli, r. Rodolph, agent of French Co.. 49, 299; is 
succeeded I y uouv. Morris, 55; acquaintance 
with Brown, '.'7. 

Timber, &c_ of eleven towns. 04 ; stealing of, 
81, 136. 

Titles, primitive, 38; Oneida and other Indian, 
;;> : see French company, Antwerp company, 
Penet, Black River tract, islands, &c. 

Tompkins, Gov. Daniel D., letters from. 420; see 
appendix: letters to, 177, 423, 424. 426, 4«5, 
400. 407. 489. 517; see appendix; Visits Sack- 
ets Harbor, 468. 

Port, at Sackets Harbor, 40S. 

Tornadoes, 561 . 

Toronto, sec York. 

Tour of Presi lent Monroe, 181. 

Tourmalint , 56 ». 

Towns, survey of eleven, G4; see Adams, Alex- 
andria, &c. 

Agricultural Societies, 83, 408. 

dates of erection of the several, 69. 

names given by the proprietors, 70. 

meeting, stealing of, 90. 

Trad,; length of rail load. 331. 

Trml*. of Man. uih's purchase, 44; see Black 
River. French Co.. Boylston, Constable, &c. 

Treasurt rs, county, 367. 

Treaty with Oneidas, 39. 

Trenton limestone, 539; extent. 639; fossils, 
539; thickness. 5-1 : veins in. 641. 

Tug lliil. composed of slate. 645. 

Turin, road to. from Whitcstown. 317. 

Turnpikes, Oneida and Jefferson, 319; St. Law- 
rence. 320; Cape Vincent, 203, 321; Ogdens- 
burgh, 320. 

Tnilh. Col. G., post of, iu battle of Sackets liar* 
bor, 4SG. 

United States boundary survey, 08. 

, cession of land to, 69. 

deposit fund. 370. 

. steamer, 3,53, 5-4. 

Union Hank. 41S. 

.Jefferson County Sabbath, 396. 

Literary Society. 3-5. 

■ school of Sackets Harbor, 1S7. 

Unirrrsa'iffs' association, 395. 
Upjohn, 1!.. plan of church by, 295. 
UUca city bonds for rail road, 342. 
Utica slate, 543; fossils, 543; features, and soil 
of, 645. 

Valley, remarkable, in Rutland, 240. 

Valleys of Jefferson County, 547, 551. 

Valuation of towns in 1805, 

Van Rensselaer, Rensselaer, at Hickory Island, 
520. 

. Stephen, letter to. 3,09. 

Van Fleet, surveys on rail road, 329. 

VaudreuU, M. de, takes post at Sandy Creek 21. 

Vaughan, Captain A\ illiam, 362, 612, 151 ; note 
on, 514, 515. 

Veins <;/ lead, in Trenton limestone, 541. 

Vessels, burned by enemy. 462. 

to be reduced to one on lake, 417. 

on lake before the war. ] L ' I: w;e ship build- 
ing. 

fitted with armnm 

British, captured, 503. 

caught at Ogdensburgh, by war. ■ 

Vincena ,duc di , purchase by, 57. 

Volume, of water in the several rivers, 

Von SchmMz. patriot leader. 525; executed. . 
note on. 591. 

Votes, on special elections, 370; for governor, 
371 : for comptroller, inlfc>47, 43o. 

Voters, uumbuis of, 357. 



Index. 



601 



VlTid (oxytie of manganese). 5G0. 

Waddingtan, Joshua, concerned in title of Isl- 
ands 

War, with Great Britain, 458, 461, 402: prepsi 
rations for, ou lake. 177: Gen. Brown's lettei s 
• Hi. 423. 424: s.-e appendix. 

Ward, Samuel, buys of ton-table, 01. 

Main- Hut*. manufacture of. 144. 

WUter power, of Black River, 2s;: 

Water spouts, on Lake Ontario, 549. 

Winter works, Watertown, -77. 281. 

II 'iter, volume of. in several rivers. 548. 

Watertown, academy, 378, 379; circular of, S79. 

bank of, 417. 

bank and loan company, 418. 

■ gas company, '290. 

■ hotel company, 2S4. 

town of, organi ed. 247; bounds in 1801, 

247: town officers, 248; Wright's remarks on, 
249; incidents, 2~>4; affair of Whittlesey, 263. 

mechanic's association, 414. 

Preshytery, 390. 

— ■ village. 27o; trustees, 273; cemetery, 275; 

board ofhealth, 276; census in 1827, 277; Ar- 
tesian well. 277: factories. 27*: extraordinary 
water ]>owcr. 2*3 : public square. 283; (ires. 
2*4: arcade. 2*7: • ieu'ance of public buildings, 
289; fountains, 290. 

■ young men's association, 290. 

t\'i.itninir)i i.uut cupe Vincent if. JB., incorporat- 
ed, 326. 

Watertown and Rome R. H., origin, ".24 ; legis- 
lation on, 324 ; Burv<\ - of. 32.">. 320; company 
organized, 327; road begun, 328; officers cho- 
sen, 32* : appeal of agricultural society, 329; 
opened. 33i>; b v.nt,. ::.: i ; statistics. :i:;i : ele- 
vations, 331 ; stations, 332; business of, 333 ; 
success of, 332. 

Watson, .lames, see Penet's Square. 43, 210. 

. Matthew, purchases a class right, 109. 

Well, Artesian, Watertown, 277. 

Weld, Isaac. Jr., note on Thousand Islands, 567. 

HW.'s. Asa. affair of. 156, 459. 

■ Island. 68 ; extent of, 81. 

West Carthage, 132. 

Wheelock, 0. L, plans by, 287, 2S9. 292, 297. 

White, family of, murdered, 143. 

Major George, agency of, 237; notice of, 

452. 

Whitestown, former bounds of, 70: road from, 
317. 



WhUesmOe, village of. 231. 

WUilih ii'f i hnnrs. 227. 

Whittle*!/, Samuel, robbery Of, 2G3; Mr. Fair- 
bank's remarks on, a74. 

H - .post office of. 303. 

Wilkes, see Penet's Square, 43. 

Wilkinson^ General, appointed to command of 
frontier. 497. 

army of, arrives at Sackets Harbor, 501; 

disastrous issue of expedition, So2. 

army of.at Cape Vincent. 113: Grenadier 

Island. 503; result of expedition, 506. 

Williams' Woolen Company, 2 2. 

mina, town of, 299; Carthage, 300, 303; fur- 
nace-. 300; Natural Bridge, 304. 

Windmill, battle of, -''21; prisoners, 527; note 
on Von Schoultz, 591. 

FJSJfi Charles Michael de. See Antwerp Com- 
pany, 56. 

■ Island, ship building at, 141 ; rail road, 

327; canal. 331. 

story. See " Link in the Chain," 258. 

WoUastonite '.tabular spar), 560. 

Woodruff. Norris M., purchase of, 61. 

Wo dwaru, Rev. James, an early missionary, 
76, 190 

WoodvUle, L59. 

Woolen Factories at Dexter. 104 : Henderson, 
168; Rutland. 238; Watertown, 278. 

Woolsey, Melancthon T.. builds brig Oneida, 
173: affair of Sandy Creek, 509; incident at 
auction. 400. 

Worth, Colonel, stationed at Sackets Harbor, 
524. 

Wo ill, town of, 305. 

Wrecks on the Ellisbnrgh coast, 161; of steam- 
er Martha Ogden, 352. 

Wright, Benjamin, of home, survey? of, 64, 72. 
120. 140. 1 00. 1 90. 233. 2 19 : road c< unmisioner, 
319; agencies of, 190; notice of, 453. 

Yeo, Sir James L., commands British fleet, 4S9, 

.inl.51'2. 
Tor!,: attack planned. 470: fleet sails, 477; 

Brigade order of attack. 477 ; description of, 

47*: attack on. 479: termsof surrender, 484 ; 

retaliation, 484. evacuated. 484. 
Tnnnri }■/, it\< Assiu-iution at Sackets Harbor, 188 ; 

Watertown, 290. 

Zoar, vilage, in Bodman, 230. 



ERRATA. 



Page. 43, 8th line from top, for 1729, read 1789. 

" 51, 22d line fiom top, for Cortland, read Castorland. 

" 53, 2d line from bottom of text, for origin, read original. 

" 69, 7th line from top, for Melancton L., read Melancthon T. 

" 77, 2d line from bottom, for BrUcy, read Bailey. 

" 88, 9th line from top, for vigor, read rigor. 

" 143. The figure near the top of this page should be turned so that the 

finer divisions would be in the upper left hand corner. 

" 164, last line, for E. C, read C. B. 

«• 192, 22d line from bottom, for IS 19, read 1813. 

<: 249, 7th line from top, for Wm, , read Mr. 

' 327, 6th line from bottom, for 1, 3. 2, read 1 and 2. 

" 329, 23d line from top, for Van Fleet, read Van Vlcck. 

" 334, 13th line from bottom, for 1S49, read 1S50. 

" 525. The number designating this page accidentally omitted. 



RBO< 



.7ft 








c *>d^'. °^ ^ 



& 









LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



0014 1144200 



